Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Kohsei Gilkes prepares for his principal artist debut in MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Kohsei Gilkes is preparing to take on his first-ever principal role with West Australian Opera as Goro in MADAMA BUTTERFLY. In this blog, he shares what this milestone means to him, how he’s approached the challenges of the role and the support that enabled the personal and professional growth that’s come with stepping into Puccini’s world for the first time.
"When I was offered the role of Goro in MADAMA BUTTERFLY late last year, I was over the moon! I couldn’t wait to share the news of my principal debut with West Australian Opera with friends and family. To step into the world of Puccini’s masterpiece is both surreal and incredibly exciting.
Goro is often portrayed as a scheming marriage broker. While he is certainly charming, manipulative, and opportunistic, I believe there’s more to him. He’s sharp, cunning, and complex. He’s learned how to survive and thrive between Japanese and Western society in the port city of Nagasaki. At his core, though, he’s also quite cowardly, quick to shift blame and even quicker to run. Finding the balance between these different sides of Goro, and discovering who he truly is, has been a rewarding challenge.
While I began exploring the role earlier in the year, my focused preparation started about two months ago. I’ve been working closely with WAO’s Artistic Director, Chris van Tuinen, diving headfirst into the music, uncovering the intent behind every phrase, and ensuring that I’ll be a reliable collaborator in the rehearsal room and on stage over the coming weeks. It’s been deeply fulfilling to connect with the score in this way, not just learning the notes, but truly understanding the dramatic weight behind each line and how Goro fits into the emotional fabric of the opera.
A real highlight of my preparation came last week during a masterclass with the brilliant Paul O’Neill, who is singing the lead tenor role Pinkerton in this production. He generously shared advice from his own experiences singing Goro, offering both vocal and dramatic insights that deepened my understanding of the character. What made the experience even more special was performing in front of a live audience of WAO donors. Feeling their energy, working through the adrenaline, and feeding off their reactions reminded me how electric performing can be.
This production means a great deal to me. Goro may not be the romantic lead, but he plays a pivotal role in the story. As someone who is half Japanese and half Australian, I feel a strong connection to his culturally bilingual identity. Preparing this role has challenged and inspired me, and it’s reaffirmed my love for opera. I can’t wait to step onto the stage and share this milestone with an audience for the first time."
Thank you to The Bendat Family Foundation for supporting our young artists. You can assist artists like Kohsei take the next step in their careers and shape their future - donate here.
Masterclasses for Wesfarmers Arts Young Artists are supported by Cathy Bardon & Bob Cassie, Dr Chris & Mrs Vimala Whitaker, Ruth Stratton and Dr Glenda Campbell-Evans & Dr Ken Evans AM.
