Tom’s in full voice at opera

By LACW Simone Liebelt

On song ... Flying Officer Tom Millhouse as Dr Gregg, at right, along with Fiona Linn as Lola and Patrick Lim as Donald in a scene from the South Australian State Opera Company’s production of Gallantry.

WHEN he’s not working as an Air Force engineer, Flying Officer Tom Millhouse likes to take on a whole new role – or two.

As a baritone vocal artist with the South Australian State Opera Company, FLGOFF Millhouse devotes his spare time to singing and performing in live productions, ranging from 19th century opera classics to modern musical crossovers.

The 25-year-old electrical engineer from the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit joined the elite company last year after auditioning for a spot on the chorus on posting to RAAF Base Edinburgh.

He has participated in the opera seasons of Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci and Dead Man Walking and this year has been invited to join the Opera Company’s Young Artist Development Program, which provides young talent with the opportunity to perform principal roles in small chamber operas and to understudy larger operatic roles.

As part of the program, FLGOFF Millhouse will participate in the Adelaide Fringe Festival at the SA State Opera Studio from March 12-2.

He will perform in the chorus and play a variety of theatrical roles in the mini opera production of Candide.

The long-time singer and pianist said he became interested in opera as a social outlet and only started taking it seriously after joining the Company.

While he loves to perform and entertain, he finds exploring the mind-sets of different characters he portrays the most interesting aspect of live opera. “The operatic roles for the baritone voice have some of the largest spread of emotional psychologies,” he said.

“The baritone can be an extremely complex character, so to deliver a convincing portrayal you really have to do your research.”

Committing an average of two nights a week and most weekends to rehearsals, performances and private opera lessons, FLGOFF Millhouse considers it a serious hobby, but said his voice needed a few years to develop before he could become competitive in the international opera arena.

“Most of the European singers are years ahead of their Australian counterparts so if I become really serious then I’ll have to go overseas to Germany or the UK to study.

It would be a major life change, so for now I’m just happy to enjoy two interesting jobs,” he said.

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