Born in South Africa, Michael Halliwell studied Literature and Music in Johannesburg, while singing roles for PACT Opera.  He was awarded scholarships to study at the London Opera Centre and with Otakar Kraus and Tito Gobbi in Florence.  As principal baritone with The Netherlands Opera and the Hamburg State Opera, he performed a wide variety of principal roles in Europe. 

Now Pro-Dean and Head of School at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Michael is a respected academic whose work has been widely published.  He nevertheless continues a successful career as a performer and recording artist, with a CD of Kipling settings appearing in 2001 and a recording of Boer War songs released by ABC Classics in 2005.  His book "Opera and the Novel: The Case of Henry James" has been published by Rodopi (January, 2005).