Thomas Edmonds (tenor)

Thomas Edmonds, (AM, BA, DipEd, DipT, MACE), is an Australian singer who was born in South Australia, Australia. He graduated from the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Teachers College with a Diploma of Teaching and Education and a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1961 he became a foundation member of the staff of Westminster School at Marion, and in 1965, he was appointed Deputy Headmaster of the school.

Edmonds began his singing studies in Australia in 1960 and, in 1970, he continued both singing and education studies in England and Europe.

A internationally renowned opera singer, he has appeared in oratorios and many operas, including Mozart operas "Don Giovanni" (as "Don Ottavio"), and "The Abduction From the Seraglio" (as "Belmonte"), amongst others.

He also appeared in State Opera of South Australia production of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" (as "Ralph Rackstraw"), with Dennis Olsen (as "Sir Joseph Porter, KGB") and Judith Henley (as "Josephine"). The production was broadcast, throughout Australia, as a simultaneous television and stereo radio broadcast, by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Edmonds has sung in opera at Covent Garden and the Edinburgh Festival and has appeared with the British Broadcasting Corporation as well as appearing in concert in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Edmonds won eight successive Showcase Grand Finals (beginning with "Showcase 68"), in which he won both the judges' vote and the television viewers' vote). He also won the Shell Aria Award.

Edmonds won the Australian National Eisteddfod Operatic Aria competition in 1969. As a former Eisteddfod winner, he was one of the judges at the 51st Adelaide Eisteddfod during April, 2006.

Recordings

Thomas Edmonds recordings with RCA includes:

* "The Voice of Thomas Edmonds"
* "Wonderful Day, with Thomas Edmonds"
* "Thomas Edmonds on Tour"
* "Songs of the Open Road"
* "Remember with Thomas Edmonds"
* "Thomas Edmonds Sings Opera"
* "Serenade in Italy"
* "Thomas Edmonds Sings Songs of Faith"
* "By Request"
* "Gilbert & Sullivan Highlights"

References

* "The Voice of Thomas Edmonds" — LP album notes
* [http://www.cris.com/~oakapple/gasdisc/pinsaust.htm Thomas Edmonds and "H.M.S. Pinafore"] - Gilbert and Sullivan Discography and review about the State Opera of South Australia's production of the opera
* [http://www.cris.com/~oakapple/gasdisc/mc-adelaide.htm Thomas Edmonds and Dennis Olsen] - Gilbert and Sullivan Highlights compact disc information
* [http://www.nationaleisteddfod.org.au/News/ariawinners.htm Australian National Eisteddfod Operatic Aria Winners - 1955 to Present]
* [http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1071&dec=197&catNum=SKR2007.7094 Vision Australia]