Nurtured by WAO, Launched Nationally: Ben Del Borrello's Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Experience
After being accepted into West Australian Opera’s Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Program in 2024, Ben Del Borrello was called up to join Opera Australia’s National Tour of La bohème as a Principal Artist. In this blog, he reflects on the whirlwind journey of preparing for the role of Marcello, and the invaluable support from WAO that helped launch his career onto the national stage.
"In May last year, I was in the midst of preparing for West Australian Opera's Act Belong Commit Sing Out Loud Regional Schools Tour when I found out at short notice that I would be joining the 4 month long Opera Australia National Tour of Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème. I was asked to fill the role of Marcello, the principal baritone part in the opera. I knew the opera well, owing not only to its fame, but the fact that West Australian Opera had closed their last season in October 2023 with Matt Reuben James Ward’s production of Puccini’s masterpiece. However, I had never performed or prepared any part of the role. With rehearsals starting in just 1 month, and my reputation on the line working with a new company - first impressions count - I had to gather all of my resources and experience to put together a plan of attack to make the most of the incredible opportunity I had been granted.
Coming from a proud Italian background, I was well prepared to negotiate the beautiful but sometimes tricky language of the opera’s librettists, Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. The way that Puccini’s word setting allows each word to speak on its surface and then multiplies the meaning of each phrase by enveloping the listener in truly profound harmony means that for both the interpreter and the audience, the composer’s desires are plain to see but carry immense pathos and depth. This makes the music of Puccini both incredibly easy to understand and relate to, but places responsibility on the performer to do justice to this intrinsically beautiful work.
I have been incredibly lucky over the 2024-25 season to be part of the Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Program. Although the tour has meant that I have missed out on important performances with my fellow young artists, in the background I have been harvesting all of the knowledge I can from Artistic Director Chris van Tuinen and pianist and repetiteur Tommaso Pollio. Our coaching and masterclasses have proved exceptionally valuable and allowed me to present my best work when I arrived in Sydney.
The tour was an incredibly exciting, scary and fulfilling whirlwind of a time, and as I prepare to do it all over again this year, I feel extremely proud of myself and grateful for the support of my home opera company and my family and friends, especially my fiancée and fellow young artist Ruth Burke.
This year, I will be again performing the part of Marcello with a very similar cast to last year and I am very happy to call all of them good friends. 24 shows in almost as many new towns and cities and this year we will be coming to WA! Tickets are already available for our Mandurah show with more locations in WA to be announced. I am brimming with excitement and eagerness to travel Australia again with a fantastic company and hope to see all of you soon."
Thank you to The Bendat Family Foundation for supporting our young artists. You can assist artists like Ben take the next step in their careers and shape their future - donate here.
Image credit: Jeff Busby, Opera Australia
