Kanen Breen | Weaver Artist Management

Sydney- Australia

Kanen Breen made his international debut, in 2003, in the role of Rodolfo, in Baz Luhrman’s Broadway production of LA BOHEME in New York.

He has been a principal artist for OPERA AUSTRALIA over many years singing an extensive range of roles including Camille in THE
MERRY WIDOW , Nanki Poo in THE MIKADO, Truffaldino in THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES, Florville in IL
SIGNOR BRUSCHINO, Alfred in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Monostatos in THE MAGIC FLUTE and Ralph Rackstraw in HMS
PINAFORE, Sellem in THE RAKE’S PROGRESS, Marco
Palmieri in THE GONDOLIERS, Dr. Caius and Bardolf in FALSTAFF, Pong in TURANDOT, Andres/Cochenille/Pittinaccio/Frantz/Nathanael in THE TALES OF HOFFMANN, Pirelli in SWEENEY
TODD, Almaviva in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE,
Rinuccio in GIANNI SCHICCHI, Nadir in The
Pearlfishers, The Duke and Borsa in RIGOLETTO, Almaviva in THE
BARBER OF SEVILLE, Count Albert in DIE TOTE STADT, the title role in ALBERT HERRING and Rev. Horace Evans in PETER
GRIMES, the Sorceress in DIDO & AENEAS and Damon in ACIS
& GALATEA, Dr. Blind in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Guillot in MANON, Ramiro in LA CENERENTOLA, Count Elemer in ARABELLA, Pliable and Lord Lechery in THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, Arturo in LUCIA DI
LAMMERMOOR, Squeak in BILLY BUDD, Vitek in THE MAKROPULOS AFFAIR and Johnny in the company’s world premiere seasons of BLISS at the EDINBURGH
FESTIVAL. His performances of Emilio in Handel’s PARTENOPE were awarded a HELPMANN
AWARD.

He was originally a member of the Young Artist Program at OPERA QUEENSLAND, his subsequent appearances for the company including Nanki Poo in THE MIKADO, Nadir in THE PEARLFISHERS, Monostatos in THE MAGIC FLUTE, Ramiro in CENERENTOLA and Sir Richard Dauntless in RUDDIGORE. Also the role of Andy Warhol in the company’s season of Philip Glass’ THE PERFECT AMERICAN in the program of the BRISBANE FESTIVAL.

For the STATE OPERA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA his roles include Peter Quint in A TURN OF THE SCREW and Dr. Studz in HOW TO KILL YOUR HUSBAND.

He was first engaged by VICTORIAN OPERA for its premiere season of THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS and has since appeared as The Beadle in SWEENEY TODD, Uncle Ernie in THE WHO’S TOMMY and the premiere season of Richard Mills’ ‘TIS PITY, LIMELIGHT magazine writing, Breen is an excellent co-star, bringing an extraordinary flexibility in his singing, … and a consummate communicator.

For OPERA NEW ZEALAND he has appeared as Nanki Poo in THE MIKADO and Governor/Vanderdendur/Ragotski in CANDIDE.

Breen is also regularly engaged by PINCHGUT OPERA, in 2021 appearing in the title role of Rameau’s PLATÉE, performances of which ARTS REVIEW wrote , … a staggeringly exceptional performance … Breen’s ability to mount every aspect of the punishing vocal demands with rich characterisation is testament to his passion and commitment. With the goods to inhabit a wide-ranging musical landscape, Breen gives his audience an up-close look at one of the country’s most talented performers, and his other appearances including Erice in L’ORMINDO, Arnalta/Nutrice/Famigliari in THE CORONATION OF POPPEA and The Sorceress in DIDO & AENEAS.

Other engagements have included the MELBOURNE FESTIVAL‘s production of Jonathan Mills’ THE GHOSTWIFE, performances which he repeated at the Adelaide and Sydney festivals and in London at the BARBICAN’s BITE02 festival, The
Witch Of Endor in the ADELAIDE FESTIVAL‘s season of the GLYNDEBOURNE
FESTIVAL OPERA production of Handel’s SAUL, his performances receiving a HELPMANN AWARD and the role of Wilhelm in Tom Wait’s THE BLACK RIDER for the MALTHOUSE, the SYDNEY
MORNING HERALD reviewer describing his performance as …
extraordinary. He appears as Roy in SIEGFRIED & ROY in the 2025 SYDNEY FESTIVAL.

And on the musical theatre stage, he joined the cast of the GORDON FROST ORGANISATION‘s Australian production of CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY during 2019 and 2020, appearing in the lead role of Willy Wonka.

His recent concert engagements include CARMINA BURANA with the MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and the SYDNEY PHILHARMONIA CHOIR.

RECORDINGS:

All enquiries to Jeff Weaver at Weaver Artist Management