Peter Ong

One of the most accomplished and versatile performing

artistes in the region, Peter Ong has performed in
major cities in Asia, Australia, Germany and the UK in
operas, recitals and musicals. His extensive resume
includes roles in operas such as Don Giovanni, Die
Zauberflte, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, Amahl and
The Night Visitors, and Turandot to name a few,
performed in the premier halls including the Esplanade,
Istana Budaya, and the Thai Cultural Centre.
Peter Ong stole the show early on as Goro... his silky lyric tenor is effortless and
natural, and he uses it well, to expressive ends.
Madama Butterfly Singapore Lyric Opera
The Flying Inkpot, May 2005
Peter Ong endowed the role of Don Ottavio with eloquence as well as lyricism.
Don Giovanni Bangkok Opera
Opera Magazine, April 2005
-

He is also an active recitalist having performed works by Britten, Poulenc, Shubert and
Schuman including the full cycles of Schuberts Die Schne Mllerin and Schumans
Dichterliebe to critical acclaim. He is a regular invited guest at the Singapore Lieder
Festival.
"Malaysian tenor Peter Ong closed accounts with Wolf's two Pelegrina lieder and the prayer-like Gebet,
impressing with his enormous range and depth of feeling. The final number Abschied (Farewell) was no
Mahlerian tear-jerker between departing lovers but a final riposte by adversaries, with an uproarious send-up
to the Viennese Waltz. Both singer and pianist hammed it up for an upbeat and spirited close."
2nd Singapore Lieder Festival
The Straits Times, September 2011
"(Both) intonation and pronunciation were impeccable, as was that of Kuala Lumpur-based tenor Peter Ong.
He had the task of bringing to life five baroque songs, by Pelham Humphrey, John Blow, Henry Purcell,
Jeremiah Clarke and William Croft, in very demanding realisations by Benjamin Britten. Their rather serious
content and sombre nature could have cast a pall over the proceedings, but Ong's enormous emotional
range and expressive power ensured that the message was not lost."
4th Singapore Lieder Festival
The Straits Times, October 2014
-

His musical theatre repertoire establishes him as a triple-threat in the industry. From
Stephen Sondheim to Mel Brooks to Jason Robert Brown to Kander & Ebb, Peters
performances in Malaysia and Singapore have garnered rave reviews from critics and
audiences alike. At home in jukebox musical revues as well as full-length musical
productions, Peter continues to perform with the best in the industry and remains in high
regard as a musical theatre performer par excellence - the consummate artiste.
1 of 3

From the moment the Emcee sings the opening line Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome, you knew this
production meant business. Mr. Ong as the Emcee maintained superb confidence and a presence
unmatched by anyone else in the cast. His role is probably the shows most challenging; the Emcee is an
omnipresent personality who is host, tease, commentator, comedian, oppressor, victim and storytellera
chameleon in appearance and character. Mr. Ong deftly, deliciously and magnificently showcased the ease,
aplomb and showmanship that only a stage vet could possess (not to mention an impressive faux German
accent). He made the role his own with flair and sang with a voice that was both controlled in its pacing and
powerful in its reachI dare say his performance alone would have justified the ticket price.
Cabaret - PAN Productions
We Are Malaysian Made, May 2011
Ong never leaves the stage throughout the show, and carries the entire production on his shoulders and in
his tremendous vocal cords fortunately, he rises beautifully to the challenge. His Bobby is at once cocky
and heart-sore, a man whos thoroughly living his life even as he cant quite help feeling that it hasnt really
started yet. His charm and emotional power which, frankly, make us all want to marry him a little are best
displayed in his fantastic rendition of Being Alive. Ive seen Ong belt the crap out of this number on other
occasions, but its beyond spectacular in the context of the entire show, infused as it is with Ongs tremulous
tears, fears and heartbreak.
Company - Dream World Productions, Singapore
shawneofthedead.wordpress.com, November 2012
Malaysian actor Peter Ong has a likeable stage presence with a handsome voice. He nails the big numbers
with bravado and it is thrilling to hear him attack the high notes. With his boyish face and easy smile, he
projects the Peter Pan, slightly caddish aspects of his character well. He is spot-on as the inoffensive
Lothario, ready for good times but suspicious of commitment.
Company - Dream World Productions, Singapore
The Straits Times, November 2012
Ong deserves much kudos for his dynamic portrayal of the wily producer, complete with a New York accent
and peculiar facial expressions. In a role made famous by Nathan Lane, Ong had big shoes to fill, and
comparisons are inevitable. But Ong pretty much nails it, comic timing and all, and his singing could not be
faulted.
The Producers - PAN Productions
The Edge, May 2013
Ong, one of Malaysias biggest stars of musicals in recent years
(especially as Max in The Producers), steals every scene as Jarod. While
he begins his story as the firm yet caring big brother of Josh, he soon
transforms into an angry and resentful man who wants nothing to do with
the troublemaker and his childish ways. Ongs Jarod then flows into a
younger version of himself, motivating Josh to excel in basketball and
coaching him in driving. His facial expressions when being driven by
speed fiend Josh are very real, too. He is also superb in a climatic
scene, listing down all the good things Josh has done in his life, and
unexpectedly bares his innermost demons to Josh and Lilly.
The Edge - Monday Show Entertainment
New Straits Times, November 2013
"Special mention goes to Peter Ong, whose performance of 'What Makes A
Man' was equal parts moving and heartbreaking."
A Singaporean In Paris - SingTheatre, Singapore
Material World Singapore, March 2014

2 of 3

"Although all the musical numbers were performed very impressively,

there was one that stood out, head and shoulders above the rest. Peter
Ong, in the role of Edmund, delivered a most emotional and chilling
performance of 'What Makes A Man', that had the entire audience
feeling his pain and brought some to their feet after he delivered the last
emotional note."
A Singaporean In Paris - SingTheatre, Singapore
Poached, March 2014
"The dashing Ong steals the limelight and is picture perfect as
Frank. Ong humanises him and makes the audiences sympathise with
him to a large extent, especially in a pivotal scene where he divorces his
long-suffering wife Beth, and in another where he realises how Gussie has left him lonely and empty despite
his fame and fortune. He fluidly shifts from one version of Frank to another, as the story unfolds, and the
best thing is his speaking voice somewhat changes to reflect a younger and more idealistic person in each
transition."
Merrily We Roll Along - PAN Productions
New Straits Times, May 2014
"Peter and Nadia put in impressive performances in conveying the emotional content of the moving musical
with its entirely sung script. While deftly negotiating multiple wardrobe changes and hitting the high notes of
the dynamic show, the two rose to the challenge of singing their way through the 80-minute stripped down
production without an intermission."
The Last Five Years - PAN Productions
New Straits Times, October 2014
"Peter Ong had the most delicious roles. Yes, roles - plural - as on top of playing the ever-present Emcee,
Ong also appeared as a train conductor, club owner, and other minor characters. You need someone
flamboyant and engaging as The Emcee and Ong delivered."
Cabaret - PAN Productions
The Malaysian Reserve, May 2015
"And while you thought this is already a wide variety, Peter then sang in French to one of Edith Piaf's tunes...
His voice delights on the high notes and never fails to charm the audience, no matter the genre or language."
Peter Ong & Friends - The Actors Studio
The Malaysian Digest, August 2015
__

3 of 3