Opera Australia is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Australian soprano Deborah Riedel today at The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
“‘All of us at Opera Australia are deeply saddened by the news of Deborah Riedel’s death. We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband, Paul, who is very much in our thoughts at this sad time,” said Adrian Collette, Chief Executive Opera Australia.
“Deborah was a wonderful colleague and distinguished artist who joined Opera Australia’s chorus in 1983 and went on to become one of the Company’s most respected principal sopranos. To acknowledge her significant contribution to opera in Australia and overseas we will be dedicating the opening night of The Magic Flute at the Sydney Opera House on 22 January 2009 to her memory.”
In her long association with Opera Australia, Deborah sang numerous lead roles including Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Juliette in Roméo et Juliette, Violetta in La traviata, Donna Elvira and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, the four heroines in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Mimì in La bohème, Leonora in Il trovatore, Marguerite in Faust, as well as title roles in Maria Stuarda, Tosca and Norma.
Most recently she performed in Opera Australia's New Year's Eve Gala Concert (2005) and in the title role of Turandot for Mazda Opera in the Domain (2007).
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