I flopped into a comfy chair, flicked on the telly and was delighted to catch the first of a four part series: “OPERATUNITY OZ” (Sunday ABC 7.30PM).

It took me back to my own audition with the then “Australian Opera” in 1990 when Richard Gill, who became affectionately known as “Sir Richard” after receiving an OAM recognising his service to Australian music and musicians, sat on the panel.

He gave me my “operatunity” and five fabulous years with the Australian Opera and it appears he is still hard at it, recruiting, educating and encouraging our singers of the future because there he was sifting through the 2000 entries of would be opera stars.

“Our objective,” he said, “is to find a talent that we can develop.”  

And how is life treating you I asked? 

“I’m manically busy,” came his immediate reply.  

So what’s new? 

Life has always rushed along at a harrowing pace for Richard Gill.

Conductor, chorus master, vocal coach, teacher and constant supporter of those for whom opera is their chosen career.  

Being an opera singer is a way of life. There’s more to it than having a good voice.

It’s a serious business and requires dedication and sacrifice.  Memorising words, music and being able to act and reach an audience all come into it.

I recall morning rehearsals in French, afternoon rehearsals in German and performances the same evening in Italian.

When an opera comes along in English it can be a welcome relief.  

“OPERATUNITY OZ” could, I suppose, be thought of as an Australian Opera Idol show except that we are spared the inane and cruel comments from the presiding experts.

That is not to say that in this show contestants are spared the realities of truthful assessments of their talent, or lack of it, from the panel.

The difference here is that the five panel members, headed by Richard Gill are in fact experts and have the contestant’s best interests in mind.

"Richard Gill OAM, a tireless developer of vocal talent."

“It’s important not to mislead or build up false hopes in the singers,” Richard said. 

The other panel members include Yvonne Kenny, distinguished soprano and teacher, Elke Neidhardt, former head of production at Cologne Opera, Antoinette Halloran, soprano with Opera Australia and Anna Connolly, leading singing teacher.  

This is a show not to be missed by singers and music lovers alike.