How does it feel to be part of a vocal quartet?

Singing in ensemble, particularly with musicians you connect with, is a huge thrill. I’m always amazed at how voices can vibrate in sympathy to produce moments of great power and also tenderness – quite astonishing!

What does the Art Song genre mean to you?

Art Song has been extremely important in my development as an artist. It's not really possible to have a career solely singing recitals, but we do it because it's such a special and intimate medium. Being so close to your audience is just wonderful, and sifting through buckets of new repertoire to bring people things they’ve never heard before is a really important part of our job.

The first program in 2016 includes works by Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann. What is your favourite piece in the program?

I’m a bit addicted to Schumann at the minute actually, and have wanted the group to perform the Spanisches Liederspiel since its inception. This year I get my wish, but Andrea has gone a step further and masterfully reconstructed Schumann’s initial conception of the piece – never before heard in Australia.

What is coming up next on your schedule?

I’ve just finished up two Bach projects - Christus in the St. John Passion (one of my favourite roles), and a program of music by Bach's ancestors with Latitude 37 (including my first time singing the famous cantata Ich habe Genug). Coming up are two projects out at Monash University (where I direct the 80 voice concert choir) – Haydn’s Mass in Time of War (actually with Merlyn, Sally-Anne and Andrew as fellow soloists), and a program called “A Field of Dreams” featuring music by Eric Whitacre & Randall Thompson that I’m really excited about conducting. With Songmakers, we’re also returning to the Art Gallery of NSW and Art Song Canberra, both of which have been real highlights of the past five seasons.

Nick Dinopoulos sings with Songmakers Australia in "Songs to a Distant Beloved" on April 13 at Melbourne Recital Centre. The performance will feature a reconstruction of Schumann's original conception of the "Spanisches Liederspiel".

Tickets available via the Melbourne Recital Centre Box Office. More about Nick's upcoming work at www.nickdinopoulos.com.