Shaun Rennie is an industry-leading director whose work spans opera, theatre and live events. Now he’s bringing that experience to Hobart, after moving here from Sydney to take on the role of Artistic Director of the beloved Festival of Voices, held during Tasmania’s Off Season.

What drew you to the role of Artistic Director of the Festival of Voices (FoV)? Everything about it! The opportunity to be part of a festival that celebrates the power of the human voice to bring joy and con­nection. The opportunity to live and work in Tasmania. The sheer breadth of the festival – there really is something for ev­eryone at FoV. I love that you can go and see a concert of Handel’s Dixit Dominus conducted by the amazing Dr Elizabeth Scott, and then the next moment join a looping workshop with Xani, or hear jazz singer Emma Pask and then catch Puerto Rican Opera singer Meechot Marrero. What other festival in the world does that? At the core of it, I really do believe the hu­man voice can reach something deep in us that no other instrument can – and I love that this festival celebrates that in such an inclusive and joyful way.

How does your background directing opera and musical theatre shape your approach to directing the Festival of Voices? I’ve been very lucky that throughout my career I’ve been in rooms with some of the greatest voices in the world. I’ve been privileged to experience that amazing moment when a voice hits something in your solar plexus and makes you weep for its beauty – its ability to help you connect with something bigger than yourself. Having said that, I don’t believe you need to work in opera or musical theatre to experience that. It can happen just as often at a local community choir event or a pub sing-along. I believe it’s our job at FoV to provide that experience for as many people as possible, in whatever form it takes.

You’ve now been living in Tasmania for three months. How has that time influ­enced your thinking about the festival? I feel so lucky to be here – I feel like I’ve landed in paradise. You can’t help but be affected by the landscape and your sur­roundings. I’m constantly thinking about artists and events that work in concert with the incredible natural wilderness as well as the many iconic buildings and locations. I’ve also been really amazed by the wider artistic community here in Tasmania. They are a passionate and mighty bunch, and I’m always looking for ways to celebrate and platform local artists.

When you took on the role, what did you want to preserve about the festi­val, and what did you want to evolve or add? It’s an honour to be appointed artistic director of a festival that is so be­loved, and it’s a responsibility I take very seriously. I have no intention of changing something that ain’t broke. There are ele­ments of the festival that are fundamental to FoV. Events like The Big Sing, the Singers Lounge, and the Classical Choral Workshop are institutions – part of the DNA of the festival – and I’m not going to make any sharp turns when it comes to those. For this first season especially, I’m very much looking forward to meeting as many of our participants and community as possible, doing some serious listening and thinking…and dreaming about where things could be in three to five years.

What do you think makes the Festival of Voices special, particularly given it’s held during the Off Season? It really is unlike any other festival I know of, where some of the world’s most beloved artists perform alongside local artists and professional “shower singers”. There is something really magical about rugging up and singing along with a room full of strangers – it reminds you what is really important in life. I feel like the world at large is just starting to catch onto some­thing that FoV has known for a long time: that singing, especially with others, is good for the heart, mind and soul!

What are some highlights of the 2026 program you’re particularly excited about? Oh, so much! That’s like asking me to pick a favourite child. I’m really looking forward to experiencing The Big Sing and the Corporate Choir Challenge for the first time. I’m also excited about our new Youth Open Mic event we’re doing in collaboration with Youth Arts and Recre­ation Centre – they’re an amazing organisa­tion in Hobart. I’m thrilled we’re presenting a showcase of Rumpel, a new one-man op­era by Tasmanian artists Amanda Hodder and countertenor Nicholas Tolputt. And then there’s Emma Pask, Lior with a string quartet, David Campbell, Yirrmal, our Sal­amanca @ 6 program, the Young Tasmania Sings concert, the AC/DC workshop…see, it’s too much. Truly an impossible question and now I feel like a bad parent!

What do you look forward to embrac­ing during the Off Season in Tassie? The entire thing – the fires, the wine, the rugging up, the festivals. Ours obviously, but I’m also really excited about experienc­ing Dark Mofo, Tasmanian Whisky Week and Beaker Street Festival for the first time. And wearing my new coat I got in Europe last year…that I never get to wear on the mainland! I’ve always preferred the cold over the heat, so I’m genuinely looking forward to it. But I do have my long underwear ready, just in case.