Rachel Bate

soprano, NSW

Wollongong born Rachel Bate completed her Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2008.

Rachel attributes her success to her family. From the age of 15, Rachel was encouraged to take part in various choirs, eisteddfods, school musicals and performances at the local church in her hometown of Wollongong.

Winning the Marianne Mathy Scholarship ('The Mathy') has provided the funding for further study in New York, which she aims to pursue once she has completed her advanced diploma in Opera at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Recent principal roles performed at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music include Nancy from Albert Herring by Britten and Frau Fluth from Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor by Nicolai.

• Marianne Mathy Scholarship including
• ABC Classic FM Prize
• 2 MBS-FM Recording Engagement
• Paul Gosney Photographic Award
• Editorial Resources Prize
• Oral History
• The Mathy Statue
• Foster Award
• Christine Leaves Award

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Sam Roberts-Smith

baritone, NSW

Beginning a Bachelor of Music Degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sam continued his studies at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, where he graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma of Music in 2008. Since winning the Marianne Mathy Scholarship ('The Mathy'), Sam has appeared in concert with several Sydney orchestras, had numerous media appearances, and joined the Opera Australia Chorus in 2010. Sam is currently developing his career at the famed Opera Australia in performances of The Mikado, La traviata, Tosca, La sonnambula, Manon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bliss, La fanciulla del West, Der Rosenkavalier, Rigoletto, and Madama Butterfly.

Sam Roberts-Smith on YouTube

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Sitiveni Talei

baritone, WA

Born in Australia but raised in Fiji, Sitiveni began studying voice at the Australian National University in 2001 and also studied singing in the U.K. at the Yorke Trust Summer Opera Company in Norfolk and with teachers and coaches at the Royal Northern College of Music. Sitiveni moved to Perth in 2005 and became a member of the West Australian Opera chorus. Sitiveni has performed the roles of Prince Yamadori, Madama Butterfly, and Sailor, The Love of the Nightingale. He has also understudied the title role in Rigoletto, Papageno, Die Zauberflöte; Dottore Bartolo, Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

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Emily Blanch

soprano, VIC

Victorian born Emily Blanch completed her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts in 2006. During her time at the College of Arts she performed as a mezzo in excerpts from Madama Butterfly, Lakme and Carmen, then later as a soprano the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro and Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos. Winning the Marianne Mathy scholarship at 23, Emily decided to continue her studies at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

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Duncan Rock

baritone, WA

Duncan Rock is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where he completed the Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts course while concurrently studying a Law Degree at the University of Western Australia. In 2006, the late Dame Joan Sutherland presented Duncan with the Marianne Mathy Award. In September 2007, Duncan took up a scholarship position at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where he completed Masters Degree in Music and Opera in Vocal Studies.

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Anita Watson

soprano, NSW

Anita Watson graduated with honors from the Australian Opera Studio, after completing a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2010, Anita made an acclaimed house debut at La Fenice in Venice as the Governess in The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten. She debuted at the Salzburg Festival as the 5th Maid in Strauss' Elektra. Anita also recently recorded the role of Naiad in Ariadne auf Naxos for Chandos Records.

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Emma Pearson

soprano, WA

Emma Pearson completed her formal opera training in 2003 after graduating from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, and with Honors from the Australian Opera Studio. Shortly after winning the Marianne Mathy Scholarship, Emma was awarded the German-Australia Opera Grant that led to a 12-month contract at the Hessisches Staatstheater, Wiesbaden. In 2009, Emma made her Opera Australia debut as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute to great public and artistic acclaim.

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Jessica Pratt

soprano, NSW

British born soprano Jessica Pratt has lived in Australia since 1991. She studied voice at the Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Following her debut in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2007 with As.Li.Co. Jessica has been invited as a guest artist to perform in many of the most important European theaters including The Vienna Staatsoper, Teatro alla Scala Milan, Opernhaus Zurich, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Covent Garden.

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Katharine Tier

mezzo-soprano, NSW

NSW born mezzo-soprano, Katharine Tier completed the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Sydney in 2003. After winning the Marianne Mathy Scholarship at the Australian Singing Competition in Perth in 2002, Katherine continued her studies overseas, using the Mathy Scholarship to help develop her musical aspirations, particularly in the field of opera. Katharine has given numerous recitals and participated in concerts both for charity and for organisations such as the National Lieder Society, Joan Sutherland Society, the Australian Society of Keyboard Music, Mozart Requiem for Macquarie University Music Society and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

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Rejielli Sheperd-Paulo

soprano, vic

Victorian born Soprano Rejieli Sheperd-Paulo studied at Eumemmerring Secondary College and at St. Margaret's School, Berwick. She studied at the Melba Conservatorium of Music, where she completed her Diploma/Bachelor of Music. Rejieli continues with her singing in the UK where she is now based. Rejieli has been a member of the Opera Australia Chorus and the role of Ciesca in Melbourne City Opera's Gianni Schicchi marked her professional operatic debut as a principal.

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Rachelle Durkin

soprano, wa

West Australian born soprano Rachelle Durkin has performed at major houses worldwide to critical acclaim. Since winning the Marianne Mathy Scholarship in 2000, West Australian Rachelle has been engaged to perform at many major opera venues around the world. Rachelle made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the First Handmaiden in Sly and has appeared as Clorinda in Cenerentola, Young Girl and Naked Virgin in Moses und Aaron, Barena in Jenufa, Teresa in Benvenuto Cellini, Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Masha in Pique Dame, Elvira in L'Italiana in Algeri, and First Flower Maiden in Parsifal.

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Janette Zilioli

soprano, nsw

American soprano Janette Zilioli was a student of Northwestern University in the United States. Janette Zilioli appeared as a guest artist for the Rosa Ponselle Competition Winners Concert making her debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 17. Since then, Janette has performed recitals and tours internationally in Reykjavik, Eglisstadir and Eskifjordur, Iceland, Urbania, Italy, Sydney and Adelaide, Australia and in Tokyo, Japan. She is a frequent principal soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic in their performances of Richard Rodgers Spectacular, Sunset & Symphony and Young People's Concert.

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Goknur Shanal, 1998

soprano, nsw

Alexandra Sherman

mezzo-soprano, vic

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Alexandra studied piano in Jerusalem and singing in Melbourne, Australia and is an Honors graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. Alexandra has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships enabling her to study at the Royal College of Music, London, where she completed her post-graduate studies and received operatic training. Alexandra performs widely in oratorio and recital in Europe, Australia and the UK with repertoire such as Bach Mass in B minor, St. John and St. Matthew Passions, Mendelssohn Elijah, Handel Messiah and Verdi Requiem.

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Rebecca Nash

soprano, vic

Victoria born Rebecca Nash studied Arts at Monash University and singing with Dame Joan Hammond. The Marianne Mathy Scholarship provided Rebecca with the opportunity to study at the Royal College of Music in London. Whilst in London, Rebecca went on to win a Senior Exhibitioner Scholarship to study for an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Opera. In Australia Rebecca performed extensively with regional opera companies and symphony orchestras. She has prepared Káta Kabanová and Donna Anna for Scottish Opera, Arabella and Magda in La Rondine for Opera North, Káta Kabanová for Welsh National Opera and Desdemona in Otello and Jenufa for the Glyndebourne Festival.

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Natalie Christie

soprano, vic

Melbourne born Natalie Christie began her vocal studies at the Victorian College of the Arts in 1993.
Natalie was accepted into the Australian National Academy of Music Vocal Program in Brisbane under the auspices of Dame Joan Sutherland. Natalie’s first UK opera performances include Musetta in La Boheme for British Youth Opera and Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring at the Guildhall. She sang Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro in her debut with Opera Australia and was soprano soloist in Bach’s St. John Passion in her debut with English National Opera.

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David Quah

tenor, qld

Malaysian-born David Quah was offered a full scholarship, at the age of 21, to study at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. David completed a Bachelor of Music Degree at Queensland Conservatorium in 1996. David also took a postgraduate course at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has won several prizes and was made a Fellow of Trinity College, London in 1993. David has performed opera roles at the Hong Kong Arts Festival, in Singapore, France, London and Australia, as well as his native Malaysia. Concert performances have taken him to England, Australia, USA and Hong Kong.

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Amelia Farrugia

soprano, NSW

NSW born Amelia Farrugia graduated in 1992 from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education and High Distinction in Voice. Amelia has also studied the Licentiate of Music in Voice, piano, musicianship and 10 years of classical ballet, with honors. Amelia began her performing career in musical theatre, performing in The Buddy Holly Story and in the Melbourne and Sydney seasons of The Phantom of the Opera as the alternate Christine. Her music theatre experience also includes Maria in West Side Story and Josephine in HMS Pinafore. In 1996, Amelia won the Opera Awards in the Australian Singing Competition and also became the NSW Young Achiever of the Year. Amelia was invited to sing for Pope Benedict XVI in the Final Mass for World Youth Day 2008. Amelia Farrugia joined the Board of Directors for Opera Foundation Australia in 2010. Amelia’s extensive concert repertoire and performances have been highly acclaimed by local and international reviews.

ameliafarrugia.com

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Jason Barry-Smith

baritone, qld

Jason Barry-Smith graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1991. Jason has studied at the Musikhockschule in Munich with Professor Hanno Blaschke during 1989-90, in London with Janice Chapman in 1999 and in Rome with Margaret Baker-Genovesi in 2002. As a concert soloist he has performed Faure's Requiem with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Haydn's Paukenmesse with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Bach's St John Passion with Brisbane Chorale, Butterley's Lawrence Hargrave Flying Alone with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Bach's St Matthew Passion, Christmas Oratorio, Purcell's Ode to St Cecilia's Day and Handel's Messiah with the Bach Society of Queensland, The Hoffnung Concert, Bernstein on Broadway and The Lord Mayor's Gala Concert 2000 with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Glorious Vienna, the music of Franz Lehar in the Melbourne Concert Hall with stars of Opera Australia, the Pops Concert at the 4MBS Festival 2000, Tunes Tender and Triumphant, the return season of Scotland the Brave in the Melbourne Concert Hall, and The Celts are Coming with the Queensland Pops Orchestra.

Jason Barry-Smith on Wikipedia

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Stuart Skelton

tenor, nsw

Born in NSW, Stuart Skelton received his early vocal training in Sydney and came to national attention after winning the prestigious Marianne Mathy Scholarship in 1991. Stuart furthered his studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, graduating with a Master of Music. Stuart has appeared in many of the world’s most celebrated opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, Paris Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Hamburg State Opera, Berlin State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Vienna State Opera.

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Christina Wilson

mezzo-soprano, act

South Australian born mezzo-soprano, Christina Wilson graduated with distinction from the Canberra Institute of the Arts, receiving the Friends Prize for the most outstanding graduate. She has been broadcast and appeared in concerts and recitals in Australia, USA, Europe, and throughout the United Kingdom. She has sung as soloist and recitalist at the Royal Albert Hall, the Wigmore Hall, Canterbury Cathedral, the Temple Square, the Paris Conservatoire, and St John's Smith Square. At the Deal Festival in 1999, Christina gave the world premiere performance of David Matthews' A Book of Hours, and appeared in concert with Richard Rodney Bennett in the Sounds New Festival. Christina has been a School of Music faculty member at the Australian National University since 2008.

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Clare Gormley

soprano, qld

Papua New Guinea born, Clare Gormley made her professional debut in 1991 as a member of The Australian Opera’s Young Artists Program. Clare’s repertoire with the Australian Opera includes Gretel Hansel and Gretel, Alexandra The Eighth Wonder, Blanche Les Dialogues des Carmélites, Mélisande Pelléas et Mélisande, Pamina Die Zauberflöte and Susanna Le nozze di Figaro.

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Joanna Cole, 1988

soprano, qld

Born in NSW, Joanna Cole is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Cole is in great demand in Australia and New Zealand and has also appeared in the UK. In 1996 her performance in the role of Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with The Australian Opera, led to further performances and the invitation to sing the role in Perth with the West Australian Opera Company in 1998.

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Paul Whelan

bass baritone, nz

New Zealand born bass-baritone, Paul Whelan studied at the Wellington Conservatoire and the Royal Northern College of Music. Paul made debuts at many of the prestigious opera houses of the world including the Metropolitan, Covent Garden, München, Opera de Paris, Opera de Genève and Netherlands Opera. During his decade-plus as baritone, Paul found his voice maturing and settling, and therefore decided to concentrate on the bass-baritone and lyric bass repertoire. The numerous engagements reflecting this repertoire change have included Christus in a staged version of Bach’s St John Passion and Schaunard in a new production of Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Escamillo with Welsh National Opera, and concert performances of Valens in Handel’s Theodora with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and in Winterthur.

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Fiona Janes

mezzo soprano, nsw

Sydney born mezzo-soprano, Fiona Janes studied at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and had a distinguished career performing extensively in both Australia and Europe. She joined Opera Australia's Young Artist Program in 1988 and since then has been a regular Guest Principal Artist for the company performing the entire major mezzo repertoire.

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David Lemke

baritone, vic

Victorian born David Lemke studied music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. During this time, he was also a member of the Queensland Conservatorium Singers and toured with them to Japan where he appeared as a principal soloist. In 1985, he was awarded the Director's prize for his contribution to opera, and in the same year, he won the Marianne Mathy Scholarship. Lemke has performed in opera and in concerts all around Australia, such as roles with The West Australian Opera Company and the Lyric Opera of Queensland. He also has an extensive concert repertoire of music from all periods including Gilbert & Sullivan, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Broadway musicals.

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Miriam Gormley

soprano, qld

Born in Papua New Guinea Miriam Gormely made her professional operatic debut in 1985 as Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro for the Lyric Opera of Queensland. In 1987, she debuted with Victoria State Opera as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro and subsequently joined their Young Artists' Programme in 1989 singing Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro on their regional tour and Rosina in The Barber of Seville in the Melbourne season. Since making her debut with The Australian Opera in 1988 as Clara in Brian Howard's Whitsunday, her repertoire with the company has included Sophie in Werther, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Cherubino, then Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Ilia in Idomeneo, and Amor in the nationally televised Orfeo ed Euridice, and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro.

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Jeffrey Black

baritone, qld

In 1984, Queensland born Jeffrey Black made his operatic debut a principal artist of The Australian Opera. Jeffrey made his UK debut in 1986 at the Glyndebourne Festival, and has since appeared internationally with many leading opera companies including The Metropolitan Opera New York, The Royal Opera Covent Garden, Los Angeles Opera, Netherlands Opera, the Opera Bastille Paris, Geneva Opera, San Francisco Opera, San Diego Opera, New Israeli Opera, Washington Opera, Vlaamse Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, at the Teatro Colon Buenos Aires as well as the festivals of Salzburg and Aix-en-Provence.

Jeffrey Black on Wikipedia

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Nicola Waite

soprano, nz

Nicola Waite was the inaugural winner of the Marianne Mathy Scholarship that led to three years study in Milan. Nicola graduated from Victoria University and in 1982. On her return to Australia in 1986, she was the ESSO Young Artist at Opera Australia. In New Zealand, Nicola has performed with all the main opera companies in seasons of Violetta in La Traviata, the title role in Tosca, Leonora in Il Trovatore, Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera and Marguerite in Faust. Her European debut was as Violetta in The Netherlands and her British debut as Leonora.

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