Artist Profile

Derek Hill

Derek Hill completed his university studies in Canada graduating with high distinction in voice. Since his return to New Zealand has been contracted by virtually every opera company in the country. 

He is currently a resident artist of NBR Opera New Zealand for whom he has appeared as Normanno in The NZI Winter Season of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2007, and earlier as Priest/Armed Man in The Magic Flute and as Gastone de Letorières in La Traviata. He has also worked for The Hamilton Garden Opera, Canterbury Opera and Otago Opera performing a variety of roles including Mr. Ford in Salieri’s Falstaff, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana and covered Edgardo in Canterbury Opera’s Production of Lucia di Lammermoor.

In February Derek had the privilege of performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as the tenor soloist in Gareth Farr’s work Te Papa for the celebration of the museum’s tenth anniversary.  Derek has twice been placed in the top three at the Lockwood Aria Competition and was the winner of the 2007 Becroft Aria Competition. In April Derek will perform the role of second jew for the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome. In August Derek will perform the lead role of Nemorino for Hawkes Bay Opera’s production of L’Elisir d’Amore. 

Derek currently studies with renowned New Zealand tenor, Patrick Power.

Derek Hill has appeared in:

• Time Pieces as Gonzalve