“His encyclopaedic understanding of performing and visual arts and his theatrical instinct place him in constant demand as a musician of flair and imagination.” – Antony Jeffrey, Many Faces of Inspiration.
Born in Belgium, Roland Peelman has been active in Australia over 30 years as a conductor, pianist, artistic director and mentor to composers, singers and musicians alike. He has established a reputation as one of Australia’s most innovative musical directors, awarded with numerous accolades. On the sidelines, Roland remained active as a pianist, putting his fingers in the service of social activism, in particular Human Rights.
For his commitment to the creative arts in Australia, Roland has received numerous accolades, including the NSW Award for “the most outstanding contribution to Australian Music by an individual’ in 2005. In 2006 he was named ‘musician of the year’ by the Sydney Morning Herald and he has since featured regularly as one of the most influential people in the Australian arts scene. In 2020, Peelman was appointed an honorary Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to music”, and in 2023 he was awarded the APRA Art Music National Luminary Award. Also the Belgian government has recognised his unique contribution, bestowing him with the title of ‘Commandeur in the Order of Leopold’ in 2023.
Over a period of 25 years, he transformed The Song Company into one of Australia’s most outstanding and innovative ensembles. In addition, he instigated and directed an impressive list of new work, orchestral, vocal, and operatic. Before his time with the Song Company, Roland worked with Opera Australia for seven years (1984-91). He was also the Music Director of Sydney Metropolitan Opera (1989-94), the Hunter Orchestra in Newcastle (1990-97), and until recently, the Artistic Director of the Canberra International Music Festival (2015 – 2024).