I grew up in Canberra where I was thrown into violin lessons at age four, initially under the Suzuki method. I still remember so much music from my lessons, which also included piano at one stage, and lots of singing in choirs.

Alex Budd. Photo © Keith Saunders for Opera Australia

At home, there was a huge LP collection of mainly classical music, but there was so much live music in my life that there wasn’t a lot of sitting down and listening, and I find that’s the case today. My nights are filled with the most amazing live music, so I really enjoy periods of silence at home.

After leaving school, I began studying voice at the ANU School of Music, while working in the lighting department at Canberra Theatre. I started as a baritone but quickly became a tenor – but I think it’s a mercy that I didn’t continue. I had a year in London working at the Royal Opera House and took singing lessons again while I was there, but on my return to Australia in 2000, I fell straight into full-time work at