Victorian Opera has announced the recipients of its 2023 Emerging Artist Prize, which supports the development of talented young Australian opera performers. Mezzo-soprano Syrah Torii and tenor Alastair Cooper-Golec will join the company as full-time members and receive mentorship and coaching in order to foster their careers. Supported by Michael Stubbs, Malcolm Roberts and the family of Frederick R Davidson, the performers will also work with Artistic Director Richard Mills.

Syrah Torii and Alastair Cooper-Golec. Photo supplied.

Torii has performed with Victorian Opera in the ensemble for the world premiere of The Butterfly Lovers and in the chorus of Elektra. She also covered the role of La Strega Cattiva dell’Ovest (The Wicked Witch of the West) in the 2022 production of Il Mago di Oz. 

She has played the leading roles of Jo March in Little Women and Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, as well as performing in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in Melbourne Conservatorium of Music...