Entertainment
11 October, 2025
New heights for opera
CAIRNS’ love affair with opera is reaching new heights, thanks to the passion and persistence of CARO Voices – Cairns and Regional Opera – a homegrown ensemble bringing classical music to Far North Queensland stages and beyond.
Founded just over two years ago by local tenor Adrian Strooper and business director Frank D’Angelico, CARO Voices has quickly established itself as a force in the region’s cultural scene.
The group is dedicated to showcasing local talent while offering audiences a world-class operatic experience, often in unexpected, intimate venues.
Their annual celebration of Luciano Pavarotti’s birthday at Piccolo Cucina has become one of the city’s most sought-after musical events.
“It started as a little idea to get some friends together to celebrate something,” Mr D’Angelico said.
“And it just got way out of hand. Now it’s a major event with 15 performers and around 100 people for dinner. It sells out every year without any advertising and there’s always a huge waitlist,” he said.
Mr Strooper, who spent much of his professional career performing across Europe before returning home to Cairns, said CARO Voices was born out of a desire to create opportunities for local artists.
“In the arts scene as we have it at the moment, we have to really create our own opportunities,” he said.
“This is part of that and it’s also a way to give something back to the community that’s given me so much.”
The group’s performers come from diverse backgrounds, from seasoned professionals to budding young singers, all united by a love of music and a desire to bring opera to local audiences.
“We have an incredible talent base here in Cairns,” Mr D’Angelico said.
“Adrian has managed to assemble this amazing choir of people, some are his students, some come from other choirs, and others just heard us sing and wanted to be part of it. This is all about showcasing how amazing our local talent is.”
CARO Voices has also become a fixture at major local events, including the Cairns Italian Festival, where they performed the opening concert ‘Opera in the Tropics,’ and at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas, where they’re regulars.
“It’s always nice to be invited back and we keep getting invited back,” Mr D’Angelico said.
“That tells us we’re doing something right.”
With more performances and community collaborations in the works, CARO Voices is proving that opera isn’t just for grand theatres, it’s alive and thriving in the tropics.
For updates on upcoming shows, visit www.bit.ly/46GMQAB
