Peter Ong

"Peter Ong endowed the role of Don Ottavio with eloquence as well as lyricism."
Don Giovanni - Bangkok Opera
International Opera Magazine, April 2005

Peter started out as a chorister and soloist with the Operafest Childrens Choir in Malaysia, under the tutelage of Mrs Kam Sun-Yoke until he went to pursue his tertiary education in Law at the University of Bristol where he was an active soloist of the Bristol University Opera Company singing roles such as Nanki-Poo (The Mikado), Orphée (Orphée dans Enfer), Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) and Hot Biscuit Slim (Paul Bunyan). He also sang with the university's Madrigal Ensemble and performed in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in roles such as the Emcee (Cabaret) and created the role of Dennis in the original musical D.I.Y. He was awarded the University of Bristol Alumni Association Award for voice for two consecutive years and studied with soprano Ms Janet Price.

Upon his return to Malaysia, he made his debut with Lyric Opera Malaysia as Spoletta in their premier production of Tosca in 2003 at the Istana Budaya. Since then, his career has been on a meteoric rise as he has now made successful principal debuts with all the regional opera companies in the most prestigious venues within the past year and has been invited back for further appearances. He has also been hailed by critics to be "…one of the most exciting classical singers of his generation in the region" (The Straits Times, April 10 2005), as his silvery bright tenor is now becoming a recognizable instrument in the region's opera circles.

His growing repertoire of roles so far include Pong in Penang Arts Council's Turandot at the Istana Budaya, the largest opera production in Malaysia; an acclaimed reprisal of Pong in his debut with Bangkok Opera's historic production of Turandot featuring the world premier of a new ending composed by Maestro Somtow Sucharitkul at the Thai Cultural Centre, St. Brioche in Lyric Opera Malaysia's The Merry Widow in the Istana Budaya, a successful debut reprising the role of St. Brioche in Singapore Lyric Opera's production of The Merry Widow at the NUS Cultural Centre, and made another re-appearance in his role debut as Don Ottavio in Bangkok Opera's Don Giovanni at the Thai Cultural Centre. His last production for 2004 was in the role of Remendado in Penang Arts Council's production of Carmen at the Istana Budaya.

In 2005, he has been invited back to perform with a stellar international cast under Singapore Lyric Opera as Goro in their production of Madama Butterfly at the Esplanade Theatre under the direction of acclaimed Singaporean thespian Ivan Heng.

To date, he has worked with some of the most established musicians and singers in the Asian region and the world including Nancy Yuen, Chen Hsing-An, Cecilia Yap, Deng Yun, Ralph Schatzki, Frasser Goulding, Justin Lavender, Dominic Natoli, Lea Woods Friedman, Geraint Dodd, Robin Lynn Follman, and Marc Deaton. He has also performed as a soloist in the most prestigious venues in the region such as Istana Budaya, the Esplanade and the Thai Cultural Center. His performances have also been attended by luminaries and dignitaries such as HRM Queen Sirikit and HRH Princess Galyani of Thailand, President Nair of Singapore, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, and many more.

Also in 2004, he gave a recital program of arias and duets with soprano Kho Mei Ling and pianist Chong Kok-Ting entitled Amore - songs for young lovers. He has appeared as a guest soloist in Dance Hysteria 2 performing songs from the musicals, and sang for the opening of the annual Fête de Musique in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of the French Embassy in Malaysia. This year, he will venture once more into the world of musicals in the original musical production of Jalan Impian, produced by Fara Sulaiman and Sandra Sodhy, creating the role of The Narrator. Future plans for this year include recitals featuring Folk and Art songs, and opera highlights at KLPAC with distinguished pianist Chong Kok-Ting, and a recital of German lieder including Schumann's Dichterliebe in the Esplanade accompanied by renowned pianist Shane Thio in 2006. He will also be singing the role of King Kasper in Singapore Lyric Opera's production of Amahl & the Night Visitors later on this year. He is currently under the guidance of soprano Ms Cecilia Yap.