Rick Prakhoff’s musical career began as a classical guitarist studying and performing in London and Perth.
Wanting to extend his performance opportunities into operatic and orchestral repertoire, Rick took up studies in singing and conducting. He was soon in demand as a bass baritone, singing smaller principal roles and chorus with WA Opera and solo oratorio performances as well as extensive choral singing and touring. Rick was also Chorus Master and back stage conductor for both Opera Australia and WA Opera in Perth.
A past finalist in the Symphony Australia Young Conductor of the Year Award, Rick has since worked with professional and community opera companies, orchestras and choirs throughout Melbourne and Perth as well as professional engagements in Canberra and Sydney.
Rick has been guest conductor with Melbourne Opera since 2004, conducting the Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, Carmen, Cavalleria Rusticana, The Barber of Seville and Così fan Tutte (which received a Green Room nomination for best operatic conductor). He has conducted the Australian premieres of a number of works including the contemporary chamber operas Jane Eyre, with Stopera in Canberra, and The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, with Operalive in Melbourne.
Engagements in 2009 include La Traviata and Tosca with Melbourne Opera as well as Opera in the Park in earlier this year with the City of Stonnington.