Kanen Breen is one of Australia’s most sought-after operatic tenors and a renowned concert and cabaret artist. He made his international debut, in 2003, in the role of Rodolfo, in Baz Luhrman’s Broadway production of  LA BOHEME in New York.

He has been a principal artist for OPERA AUSTRALIA over many years singing an extensive range of roles including Camille in THE MERRY WIDOW , Nanki Poo in THE MIKADO, Truffaldino in THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES, Florville in IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO, Alfred in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Monostatos in THE MAGIC FLUTE and Ralph Rackstraw in HMS PINAFORE, Sellem in THE RAKE’S PROGRESS, Marco Palmieri in THE GONDOLIERS, Dr. Caius and Bardolf in FALSTAFF, Pong in TURANDOT, Andres/Cochenille/Pittinaccio/Frantz/Nathanael in THE TALES OF HOFFMANN, Pirelli in SWEENEY TODD, Almaviva in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Rinuccio in GIANNI SCHICCHI, Nadir in The Pearlfishers, The Duke and Borsa in RIGOLETTO, Almaviva in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Count Albert in DIE TOTE STADT, the title role in ALBERT HERRING and Rev. Horace Evans in PETER GRIMES, the Sorcerer in DIDO & AENEAS and Damon in ACIS & GALATEA, Dr. Blind in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Guillot in MANON, Ramiro in LA CENERENTOLA, Count Elemer in ARABELLA, Pliable and Lord Lechery in THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS,  Arturo in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Squeak in BILLY BUDD, Vitek in THE MAKROPULOS AFFAIR and Johnny in the company’s world premiere seasons of BLISS at the EDINBURGH FESTIVAL.  His performances of Emilio in Handel’s PARTENOPE were awarded a HELPMANN AWARD.

For the STATE OPERA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA his roles include Peter Quint in A TURN OF THE SCREW and Dr. Studz in HOW TO KILL YOUR HUSBAND. And for WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA he appears as Cassio in OTELLO during 2023.

He was first engaged by VICTORIAN OPERA for its premiere season of THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS and has since appeared as The Beadle in SWEENEY TODD, Uncle Ernie in THE WHO’S TOMMY and the premiere season of Richard Mills’ ‘TIS PITY with Meow Meow. For OPERA NEW ZEALAND he has appeared as the Governor/Vanderdendur/Ragotski in CANDIDE.

Breen is also regularly engaged by PINCHGUT OPERA, in 2021 appearing in the title role of Rameau’s PLATÉE. His past appearances including Erice in Cavalli’s, L’ORMINDO and Arnalta/Nutrice/Famigliari in Monteverdi’s THE CORONATION OF POPPEA.

Other engagements have included the  MELBOURNE FESTIVAL‘s production of Jonathan Mills’ THE GHOSTWIFE, performances which he repeated at the Adelaide and Sydney festivals and in London at the BARBICAN’s BITE02 festival, The Witch Of Endor in the ADELAIDE FESTIVAL‘s season of the GLYNDEBOURNE FESTIVAL OPERA production of Handel’s SAUL, his performances receiving a HELPMANN AWARD and the role of Wilhelm in Tom Wait’s THE BLACK RIDER.

And on the musical theatre stage, he joined the cast of the GORDON FROST ORGANISATION‘s Australian production of CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. 2023 includes the role of Dr Treves in THE MARVELLOUS ELEPHANT MAN in Melbourne.

His recent concert engagements include CARMINA BURANA with the MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and the SYDNEY PHILHARMONIA CHOIR. 

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