Michael Butchard holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music and Germanic Studies) degree from the University of Sydney and an Advanced Diploma of Opera from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2013 he graduated with Master of Performance (Vocal Performance) from the Royal College of Music, London (RCM), where he studied Justin Lavender. After graduating, Michael was active as a freelance singer with companies across the UK such as English Touring Opera, London Voices, the Philharmonia Chorus and Garsington Opera while continuing his vocal studies in London with Raymond Connell. Once more based in Sydney, he studies with Glenn Winslade. Michael’s recent concert performances include the Evangelist in Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Tenor Soloist in Bach’s St John Passion, and Messiah. In 2016, Michael was a semi-nalist in the Mietta Song Competition.
Recent operatic roles include Alfredo in La Traviata (Opera New England), Frank Wild in the contemporary childrens’ opera Shackleton’s Cat (English Touring Opera), Tamino in Die Zauberöte (Woodhouse Opera Festival), Ferrando in Così Fan Tutte (Focus Opera), Ernesto in Don Pasquale (Pavilion Opera). Young Man 1 in the contemporary opera Pecan Summer (Short Black Opera) in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and Elvino in La Sonnambula for Operantics/Penrith Symphony Orchestra. Future engagements include Lensky in Eugene Onegin for Co-Opera (December 2016). Michael Butchard graduated from a Master of Performance (Vocal Performance) from the Royal College of Music, London (RCM) in 2013. Michael also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music and Germanic Studies) degree from the University of Sydney and an Advanced Diploma of Opera from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
After graduating from the RCM, Michael sang across the UK and as far afield as France, Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary with companies including English Touring Opera, London Voices, the philharmonia Chorus and Garsington Opera.
Returning to Australia in 2015, Michael’s recent operatic roles include Le Remendado in Carmen (Penrith Symphony Orchestra), Lensky in Eugene Onegin (Co-Opera), Pong in Turandot (Australian International Opera Company), Elvino in La Sonnambula (Operantics/Penrith Symphony Orchestra), and Young Man 1 in the contemporary opera Pecan Summer (Short Black Opera) in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
Recent concert performances include the Evangelist in Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Tenor Soloist in Bach’s St John Passion and Handel’s Messiah.
Michael moved to Orange in 2018 to work in his other dream job: Coffee Roasting. He currently performs around Australia as a member of The Australian Tenors.
