Simon O’Neill has gone from small town Ashburton boy to international opera star and among the many Simon O’Neill, officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Photo suppliedaccolades that have come his way is becoming an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

O’Neill is currently in Berlin rehearsing at the Staatsoper and said he was humbled to be part of the Queen’s Birthday honours.

“It puts me amongst esteemed company and provides heart-warming recognition from my country,” he said.

Awards did not come just from the efforts of the recipient, O’Neill said.

“ When I take the time to reflect there has been help I’ve received from many people during my career including my wife, Carmel, my parents, family, teachers and colleagues.”

O’Neill’s musical career began in a small way as a St Joseph’s School boy, learning the piano with  Joan Perkins.

He then started playing the euphonium with the Ashburton Silver Band and was also a church organist.

“I was never gifted with music, but I loved it,” O’Neill said.

In some ways he was a latecomer to singing.

At Ashburton College he joined the Phoenix Choir and credits teachers Gordon McGhie and Robert Aburn with giving him the solid musical background on which he has built his career.

“When I take the time to reflect on the education and the love of making music that I have, it’s come from these wonderful Ashburton teachers and institutions.

“I’ve also had huge support from my parents Gabrielle and Brian, and my wife, Carmel.

“They’ve helped me craft a professional career in music. I am very grateful to you all,” he said.

Today O’Neill is recognised as one of the world’s finest heldentenors (heroic tenors).

He is principal artist with the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Teatro alla Scala, Berlin, Vienna and Bayerische State Operas and both the Salzburg and Bayreuth Festivals.

He has performed internationally in many opera houses and concert halls and with top international orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Staatskapelle Berlin.

O’Neill has been recognised for his commitment to the development of young New Zealand singers and was appointed as an adjunct research fellow at Te Koki New Zealand school of music in 2012 where he provides master classes and coaching sessions to advanced singing students.

He is patron of the New Zealand singing school trust and the New Zealand Association of teacher of singing and returns regularly to New Zealand to perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and New Zealand Opera.

He was a Fulbright Scholar in 1998, received the United Kingdom Wagner Society Prize in 2003, was made New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate in 2005 and received a Doctor of Music (Honoris Causa) from Victoria University in 2016.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 June 2017