New Zealand–born tenor Zachary McCulloch is earning recognition for the warmth of his voice, the refinement of his musicianship, and performances distinguished by both dramatic sincerity and stylistic elegance. Equally at home in Mozart, bel canto, and French repertoire, he has attracted praise for his sensitive phrasing, engaging stage presence, and ability to combine vocal beauty with compelling characterisation.

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He has appeared with leading companies and festivals including Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opéra National de Bordeaux, Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse, Festival della Valle d’Itria, Festival Castel Artes, Landestheater Linz, Opera Australia, State Opera of South Australia, and Victorian Opera.

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His repertoire includes Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Nadir (Les pêcheurs de perles), Oronte (Alcina), Nemorino(L’elisir d’amore), and Gualtiero (Il pirata). Recent critical acclaim has highlighted both his lyric artistry and technical command, with reviewers praising his “Italianate warmth”, “beautifully focused tones throughout”, and “exquisitely gentle top notes”. Following his assumption of Bellini’s demanding Gualtiero, New Zealand Opera News described him as a “lyrical and dramatically voiced bel canto exponent” who “most definitely nailed it time after time”.

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Alongside his operatic career, McCulloch is an active concert soloist whose repertoire includes Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Haydn’s Große Orgelsolomesse, and Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël.

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His training includes studies at the Accademia di Bel Canto “Rodolfo Celletti” in Italy, ICAV in Montreal, and the Canto Vocal Programin the United States and Romania. He was also a studio artist with State Opera South Australia from 2021–2022.

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Recent and upcoming engagements include the Fourth Jew in Salome at Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Orchestra Victor Hugo, Il Conte Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opéra de Toulon.

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McCulloch has collaborated with conductors and directors including Fabio Luisi, Joseph Swensen, Francesco Angelico, Victorien Vanoosten, Francesco Lanzillotta, Johannes Reitmeier, Nicola Raab, Frédérique Lombard, Julien Duval, and Rita Cosentino.

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A graduate of the University of Melbourne and a semi-finalist in the Vincero Competition in Verona, he continues to build an internationalcareer across Europe, Australasia, and beyond.

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Selected Press

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“McCulloch has an especially engaging stage presence.” — The Post

“His timbre and technique are ideally suited to Mozart.” — Olyrix

“A rich and velvety voiced discovery.” — New Zealand Opera News