Michael, Greek Theatre Now’s founder and artistic director, was an opera student at the VCA Melbourne and Royal Academy of Music, London. He sang in operas around the world, working with leading conductors and directors Sir John Hopkins, David Alden and Douglas Horton. In London he lived with world-leading piano accompanist Geoffrey Parsons. He was the lead tenor in the world premiere of new Australian opera The Hive which won Green Room and Helpmann Awards, including Best Opera.
Michael was also a journalist and political adviser. He was a politics opinion writer for the ABC and wrote for The Australian business magazine, the Herald Sun and The Bulletin/Newsweek. He was a senior media adviser in the Victorian Kennett Government and Australian Howard Government.
Michael was an International Red Cross media spokesman during emergencies and disasters around the world, including the Ebola crisis in West Africa and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. (Below, Michael speaks to SBS Australia from Japan.)
He is also a businessman. Michael headed his own media and government relations company for 20 years, advising governments and organisations around the world, including a Washington and London-based international law firm.
Michael also sings countertenor and fronted early music group Baroquial, singing the works of Vivaldi, Bach and Purcell. He was the voice of Nazi Heinrich Himmler in the 2020 Apple TV 6-part mini series Adolf Hitler’s War. Below, recording, Michael sings Core ‘ngrato (Cardillo).
Michael is also an endurance athlete. He competes in marathons around the world. He is running the famous Marathon-Athens marathon in Greece, November 2026. “Endurance in the body, endurance in life,” said Michael.
He founded Greek Theatre Now in 2024 and is thrilled to bring outdoor Greek theatre to Australia’s National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, Australia’s political capital.
“The Greek theatre plays explore the role of the individual and the role of the collective. They are as relevant today as they were 2500 years ago when they premiered in Athens during the birth of democracy,” said Michael.
