Wednesdays from 1 – 2pm with Simon Moore.
Each week presenter Simon Moore spends an hour in conversation with one of the greatest musicians, singers, composers, conductors, actors, writers and directors, along with up-and-comers and others who influence our arts landscape.
Find more episodes on the 2MBS App, in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice. Find a list of 2026 episodes of In Conversation here. Find 2025 episodes of In Conversation here. Find The Best of In Conversation from earlier years here.
Previous episode: Benjamin Beilman
15 July 2026 – Tahu Matheson
Conductor, pianist and Opera Australia Head of Music Tahu Matheson joins In Conversation ahead of the Sydney season of The Drover’s Wife, the acclaimed new Australian opera by George Palmer and Leah Purcell. Tahu explains why he believes the story is perfectly suited to opera, reflecting on the emotional power of the singing voice, the accessibility of Palmer’s score, and his experience of helping shape a brand-new work from early workshops through to the world premiere.
The conversation also explores Tahu’s musical upbringing, following his conductor father around Europe before settling in Australia, his early ambitions to become a concert pianist, and the unexpected moment that changed the course of his career: discovering Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. He shares his lifelong fascination with opera, the transition from pianist to répétiteur and conductor, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the often unseen work of Opera Australia’s music staff, from coaching singers and preparing scores to balancing orchestral and vocal forces in performance.
Tahu also discusses the challenges of presenting contemporary opera alongside the great classics, why he believes audiences are rediscovering the thrill of live performance, and the enduring power of opera to move, challenge and inspire.
Tahu Matheson conducts The Drover’s Wife for Opera Australia, August 7-15.
