ABOUT | Shanul Sharma

BIOGRAPHY

"....he is one of the few people in the world who can sing it."
- Comm. Lyndon Terracini AM, Artistic Director, Opera Australia on Shanul's role as Il Conte di Libenskof in Rossini's 'Il viaggio a Reims'

"Not only was he placed first in the vocal section but then, in the round for all instrumentalists, he was again placed first. Effectively the prix d'honeur of the festival. This is an extraordinary achievement and something that, for example, I personally could not have achieved at his stage of development… Bravo Shanul!”
- WIAV Director Dennis O’Neill CBE on Shanul winning the Rossini International Award in Pesaro, Italy

Hailed as 'Gandhi reincarnate' (Oper! Magazin) and celebrated for his 'dazzling fireworks' (The Age), Shanul Sharma is a tenor who defies convention. As the first Indian-born Australian to perform as a principal artist with Opera Australia, Shanul’s journey is as unique as his voice. Since transitioning from the frontman of heavy metal bands to the world of opera, Shanul has performed in opera houses, concert halls, arenas and stadiums across Europe, Australia, Russia and the UK.

Born in Jabalpur, India, Shanul has established himself as a Bel Canto specialist on the world stage. His career highlights include performances at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Sydney Opera House, Norwegian National Opera in Oslo and Staatsoper Hannover, where he received critical praise for his sincere and authentic delivery of ‘M.K. Gandhi’ in Philip Glass' Satyagraha. In Australia, he remains a principal favourite, with signature roles including 'Il Conte d'Almaviva', 'Tamino' and 'Il Conte di Libenskof'. His repertoire also includes the title role in Mitridate, Re di Ponto, Werther and leading tenor roles in Lucrezia Borgia, Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, L'italiana in Algeri, as well as the creation of 'Pope Urban VIII' in Richard Mills' Galileo for Victorian Opera.

Equally at home on the concert platform, Shanul has collaborated with world-renowned orchestras and conductors. Highlights include representing the Rossini Opera Festival as the tenor soloist in Rossini's Stabat Mater at the LaVerdi Auditorium in Milan and the Norwegian National Opera, conducted by Claus Peter Flor. He has also performed with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra under Grammy-winner Christopher Tin for his composition ‘Calling all Dawns’ and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra under Richard Mills AO.

In a major upcoming career milestone, Shanul will make his debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in October 2026. Under the baton of Maestra Simone Young, he will star alongside Sir Bryn Terfel as the Tenor Soloist in Mendelssohn's Elijah.

Beyond the opera house, Shanul possesses a rare crossover appeal. In 2025, he captivated a global television audience of over 50 million, performing an a cappella rendition of the Indian National Anthem at the SCG 'Pink Test' and the Australian National Anthem at a sold out MCG for the 'Boxing Day Ashes Test'. His versatility extends to the arena rock stage, touring Europe as lead vocalist for the new-age group +eRa+, performing alongside musical legends from bands such as Jamiroquai and Peter Gabriel. He features prominently on the group's latest single 'The Fallen King'.

Looking ahead to 2026, Shanul will make his debut as 'Don Ottavio' with Opera Australia and be the understudy for the role of 'M.K. Gandhi' in Paris Opera's new production of Philip Glass' Satyagraha, as the role is adapted for the countertenor voice and Anthony Roth Costanzo. He holds a Master’s from the Wales International Academy of Voice and remains the only artist to have won both the 'Canto Lirico' and 'Rossini International Award' in the same year.