Nicole Car: From jazz to the silvery moon

An Australian soprano who has established herself as one the leading artists of her generation, Nicole Car is a fixture at all of the world’s top opera houses, be it the Met, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra National de Paris, or the Sydney Opera House. She’s praised for her beautiful, rich timbre and unique musicality, with Limelight magazine speaking recently of her unfailingly clear and strong voice, with lovely tone and silky legato. In this wide-ranging interview, Nicole reflects on her role debut as Rusalka in Dvořák’s opera of the same name, exploring the character’s emotional depth. She recounts her early musical influences – from her initial interest in becoming a jazz singer to a transformative experience watching Tosca – and her unusual path into classical music. The conversation traces the steep learning curve she threw herself into, her career-defining competition wins, and her thoughtful approach to role choices, including knowing when to say no. She speaks candidly about the challenges and rewards of balancing private life with a demanding international opera career, offering touching insights into life in Paris, and performing alongside her husband Étienne Dupuis.Nicole Car performs Dvořák’s Rusalka with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House until August 11.