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{{short description|Australian operatic mezzo-soprano (1967/1968 –2023)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Short description|Australian operatic mezzo-soprano (1967/1968–2023)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Jacqueline Dark
| name = Jacqueline Dark
| image =
| image = Jacqueline Dark (1b).jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Smiling woman with blonde hair
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| caption = Dark, {{circa|2007}}
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| alias = Jacqueline Moran
| alias = Jacqueline Moran
| birth_date = 1967/1968
| birth_date = {{Birth date based on age at death|55|2023|10|03}}
| birth_place = [[Ballarat, Victoria]], Australia
| birth_place = [[Ballarat]], Victoria, Australia
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2023|10|03|55|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2023|10|03|55|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Sydney, Australia]]
| death_place = Sydney, Australia
| occupation = Opera singer
| occupation = Operatic [[mezzo-soprano]]
| years_active = 2000–2023
| organizations = [[Opera Australia]]
| website = [https://jacquelinedark.com/ jacquelinedark.com]
| website = {{url|https://jacquelinedark.com/}}
| awards = {{ubl| [[Green Room Awards]] | [[13th Helpmann Awards]] }}
}}
}}


'''Jacqueline Lisa Dark'''<ref name=HR>{{cite web|url=https://federation.edu.au/about-us/our-university/history/geoffrey-blainey-research-centre/honour-roll/d/jacqueline-lisa-dark|access-date=9 October 2023|title=Dark, Jacqueline Lisa|publisher=[[Federation University Australia]]|website=Honour Roll|date=November 2005}}</ref> (also '''Jacqueline Moran''';<ref name=flyer>{{cite web |url=https://lindychamberlain.com/files/Opera_LiNDY_website_view.pdf |title=''Lindy'' |type=performance flyer |publisher=[[Opera Australia]] |date=October 2002 |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.taitmemorialtrust.org/awards-2000-2005/|access-date=9 October 2023|title=Awards 2000–2005|date=21 October 2016 |publisher=[[Tait Memorial Trust]]}}<!-- Web page display the image https://www.taitmemorialtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jacqueline-dark-408x204.jpg and lists "Jacqueline Moran" for 2001, but no "Jacqueline Dark". QED. --></ref> {{Birth date based on age at death|55|2023|10|03}} – 3 October 2023) was an Australian operatic [[mezzo-soprano]] who appeared mainly with Australian companies, for a while as a member of [[Opera Australia]]. She was known for her voice in leading roles, including world premieres, but also for her stage presence and "a unique sense of comic timing".<ref name="Togher" />
'''Jacqueline Lisa Dark''' (also '''Jacqueline Moran'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.operaunderthestars.com.au/opera/History.htm|title=History|accessdate=18 November 2011|publisher=Opera under the Stars|location=Broome, Western Australia}}</ref>; 1967/1968 – 3 October 2023) was an Australian operatic [[mezzo-soprano]]. She was born in [[Ballarat]] and attended the [[Federation University Australia|University of Ballarat]] from 1986 to 1988, receiving a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and a [[Graduate Diploma of Education]] in 1989.<ref name=HR>[http://federation.edu.au/about-feduni/our-university/history/art-and-historical-collection/honour-roll/d/jacqueline-lisa-dark Jacqueline Lisa Dark], Federation University Honour Roll</ref>


Dark was awarded a [[Green Room Awards|Greenn Room Award]] for performing as Donna Elvira in Mozart's ''[[Don Giovanni]]'' in 2011, and a [[13th Helpmann Awards|2013 Helpmann Awards]] for Herodias in ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'', among others. Active also in music theatre and cabaret, she toured Australia and New Zealand in 2015 as Mother Abbess in ''[[The Sound of Music]]'', and a reviewer wrote: "She embodies the firm but caring mother and her towering, glorious voice closes the first act with a stunning rendition of '[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]'."
⚫
Dark trained at the [[Victorian College of the Arts]] where she received [[British undergraduate degree classification#First-class honours|first class honours]] in the [[Graduate Diploma]] of Opera in 1995.


== Life and career ==
⚫
Dark died on 3 October 2023, aged 55, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer the year prior.<ref>[https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/opera-star-and-cabaret-singer-jacqueline-dark-has-died/ Opera star and cabaret singer Jacqueline Dark has died]</ref>
She was born in [[Ballarat]] and attended the [[Federation University Australia|University of Ballarat]] from 1986 to 1988, receiving a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and a [[Graduate Diploma of Education]] in 1989, and worked teaching in Ballarat.<ref name=HR /><ref name="Togher">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/opera-star-who-conquered-tv-and-the-opera-house-dies-at-55-20231005-p5e9xk.html |access-date=6 October 2023 |title=Opera star who conquered TV and the Opera House dies at 55 |last=Togher |first=Patrick |date=5 October 2023 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref>


⚫
Dark trained at the [[Victorian College of the Arts]] where she received [[British undergraduate degree classification#First-class honours|first class honours]] in the [[Graduate Diploma]] of Opera in 1995.<ref name="Togher"/>
⚫
==Performance==


⚫
=== Performance ===
Dark has performed with [[Opera Australia]], [[Victorian Opera (Melbourne)|Victorian State Opera]], was young artist for [[Opera Queensland]] in 2000, performed at the [[Vienna State Opera]] the roles of Giovanna (''[[Rigoletto]]''), Grimgerde (''[[Die Walküre]]''), Annina (''[[La traviata]]''), Mercedes (''[[Carmen]]''), and Il Pastore (shepherd) in ''[[Tosca]]''.<!-- Dead link: <ref>http://www.operaqueensland.com.au/madama%20butterfly/bios/show1-bios.htm Opera Queensland</ref> -->
Dark performed with [[Opera Australia]], [[Victorian Opera (Melbourne)|Victorian State Opera]], and was a member of [[Opera Queensland]]'s Young Artist Program in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oq.com.au/opera-queenslands-young-artist-program/|access-date=11 October 2023|title=Young Artist Program|date=26 June 2020|publisher=[[Opera Queensland]]}}</ref> At the [[Vienna State Opera]], she performed the roles of Giovanna in Verdi's ''[[Rigoletto]]'', Grimgerde in Wagner's ''[[Die Walküre]]'', Annina in Verdi's ''[[La traviata]]'', Mercedes in Bizet's ''[[Carmen]]'', Pastore (shepherd) in Puccini's ''[[Tosca]]'',<ref name=HR /> Ines in Verdi's ''[[Il trovatore]]'' and Countess Ceprano in ''Rigoletto''.<ref name="Opera Australia" /> She returned to Australia in 2002.<ref name=HR />


In 2006, she appeared as Dorabella in Mozart's ''[[Così fan tutte]]'' in the first performance of the [[Victorian Opera]], conducted by [[Richard Gill (conductor)|Richard Gill]]. She was already hired by [[Opera Australia]]'s music director, [[Richard Hickox]]. She performed there as Herodias in a new production of ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' by Richard Strauss in 2012.<ref name="Togher" /> In 2013, she performed the roles of Meg Page in Verdi's ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'', Lady Billows in Britten's ''[[Albert Herring]]'', and both Fricka and Second Norne in Wagner's ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]''. She added Filippyevna in Tchaikovsky's ''[[Eugene Onegin (opera)|Eugene Onegin]]'', Emilia in Verdi's ''[[Otello]]'', and Donna Elvira in Mozart's ''[[Don Giovanni]]'' to her repertoire in 2014, Amneris in Verdi's ''[[Aida]]'' and Marcellina in Mozart's ''[[Le nozze di Figaro]]'' in 2015.<ref name="Opera Australia">{{cite web |title=Jacqueline Dark |url=https://opera.org.au/artist/jacqueline-dark/ |publisher=[[Opera Australia]] |access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>
Her 2013/2014 [[Opera Australia]] schedule included [[Otello|Emilia]], [[Don Giovanni|Donna Elvira]], Filippyevna in ''[[Eugene Onegin (opera)|Eugene Onegin]]'', Meg Page in ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'', Lady Billows in ''[[Albert Herring]]'' and Fricka in ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jacqueline Dark|url=https://opera.org.au/artist/jacqueline-dark/|publisher=[[Opera Australia]]|access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> She has performed the alto solos in Rossini's ''[[Stabat Mater (Rossini)|Stabat Mater]]'' for the [[West Australian Symphony Orchestra]]. In 2012, Jacqueline Dark sang Herodias in Opera Australia's new production of ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' and won the [[Green Room Award]] for Outstanding Principal Female in Opera as Donna Elvira in ''Don Giovanni''.


As a freelance singer, she performed as Santuzza in Mascagni's ''[[Cavalleria rusticana]]'' for the [[State Opera of South Australia]], winning a Curtain Call award in the category Best Female Performance,<ref name="Togher" /><ref name="Opera Australia" /> the soprano title role in the Australian premiere of Rufus Wainwright's ''[[Prima Donna (opera)|Prima Donna]]'',<ref name="Opera Australia" /> with [[Kanen Breen]] as the Journalist,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/festival-review-prima-donnarufus-does-judy/|title=Festival Review: ''Prima Donna''/''Rufus Does Judy''|author=Tracey Korsten|date=19 March 2017|website=Glam Adelaide|access-date=5 October 2023}}; {{cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/adelaide-festival/rufus-wainwright-brings-prima-donna-and-rufus-does-judy-to-the-adelaide-festival/news-story/be9fc4aedeaf7b4f49f18d131f841e74|access-date=5 October 2023|title=Rufus Wainwright brings ''Prima Donna'' and ''Rufus Does Judy'' to the Adelaide Festival|author=Louise Nunn|date=14 March 2017|newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]|location=Adelaide}}</ref> at the 2017 Adelaide Festival, Berenice in Vivaldi's ''[[Farnace]]'' for the [[Pinchgut Opera]], Mrs Sedley in Britten's [[Peter Grimes]] for the [[Brisbane Festival]], the Old Lady in Bernstein's [[Candide (operetta)|Candide]] for the [[New Zealand Opera]], Anne in Tom Waits' ''[[The Black Rider]]'' for the [[Malthouse Theatre]] and the [[Victorian Opera (Melbourne)|Victorian Opera]].<ref name="Opera Australia" /> She returned to Opera Australia as Fricka, Herodias, and as the Countess in Shostakovitch's [[The Nose (opera)|The Nose]] in 2018.<ref name="Togher" /><ref name="Opera Australia" />
⚫
Her performance experience encompasses opera, music theatre, cabaret, theatre restaurant and the concert platform; it includes the roles of The Composer (''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]''), Carmen and Mercedes (''Carmen''), Dorabella (''[[Così fan tutte]]''), the title role and Tisbe in ''[[La Cenerentola]]'' (for which she won a Green Room Award), Suzuki (''[[Madama Butterfly]]''), Rosmira (''[[Partenope]]''), Donna Elvira (''Don Giovanni''), Second and Third Lady (''[[Die Zauberflöte]]''), Marcellina (''[[Le nozze di Figaro]]''), Maurya (''[[Riders to the Sea (opera)|Riders to the Sea]]''), Mrs Herring (''Albert Herring''), the title role in ''[[Iolanthe]]'', Maddalena (''Rigoletto''), Emilia (''Otello''), Lucilla (''[[La scala di seta]]''), Marianna (''[[Il signor Bruschino]]''), Flora (''La traviata''), Annina (''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]''), Pitti-Sing/Katisha (''[[The Mikado]]'') and Mary (''[[Der fliegende Holländer]]'').


⚫
Her repertoire also included the roles of the Composer in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'' by R. Strauss, the title role in ''Carmen'', the title role and Tisbe in Rossini's ''[[La Cenerentola]]'' (for which she won another Green Room Award), Suzuki in Puccini's ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'', Rosmira in Handel's ''[[Partenope]]'', <!--both Second and Third Lady in Mozart's ''[[Die Zauberflöte]]'', -->Maurya in ''[[Riders to the Sea (opera)|Riders to the Sea]]''), <!--Mrs Herring in Brittens ''Albert Herring'', -->Maddalena in ''Rigoletto'', <!--Lucilla in Rossini's ''[[La scala di seta]]'', Marianna in Rossini's ''[[Il signor Bruschino]]'', -->Annina in ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' by R. Strauss, Pitti-Sing/Katisha in ''[[The Mikado]]'', and Mary in Wagner's ''[[Der fliegende Holländer]]''.<ref name="Opera Australia" />
⚫
Dark performed the role of Sally Lowe in the world premiere of ''[[Lindy (opera)|Lindy]]'' and the title role in ''Iolanthe'' for Opera Australia, and [[Understudy|covered]] the role of Pearl in the world premiere of [[Richard Mills (composer)|Richard Mills]]' ''[[Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (opera)|Summer of the Seventeenth Doll]]''. She appeared as a soloist with groups including the Melbourne Chorale, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (concert series), [[Orchestra Victoria]], the [[Australian National Academy of Music]], the [[Royal Philharmonic Society]] and the [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra]].


⚫
Dark performed the role of Sally Lowe in the world premiere of Moya Henderson's ''[[Lindy (opera)|Lindy]]''<ref name=flyer /> and the title role in Tchaikovsky's ''[[Iolanthe]]'' for Opera Australia,<ref name=HR /><ref name="Opera Australia" /> and [[Understudy|covered]] the role of Pearl in the world premiere of [[Richard Mills (composer)|Richard Mills]]' ''[[Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (opera)|Summer of the Seventeenth Doll]]''.<ref name=HR /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/news/vale-australian-mezzo-jacqueline-dark/102935008|access-date=9 October 2023|title=Australian mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark has died aged 55|author=Janine Marshman|date=4 October 2023|publisher=[[ABC Classic]]}}</ref>
She joined the [[Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra]] along with [[Trisha Crowe]], [[Michael Falzon (actor)|Michael Falzon]], [[Amanda Harrison]] and others to record ''I Dreamed a Dream: Hit Songs from Broadway'' for [[ABC Classics]] in 2013.<ref name=Dream>{{cite web|title=I Dreamed a Dream – Hit Songs From Broadway|url=http://abcmusic.com.au/discography/i-dreamed-dream-%E2%80%93-hit-songs-broadway|publisher=ABC Music|access-date=29 July 2013}}</ref>


She collaborated with directors including [[Neil Armfield]], [[Lindy Hume]], [[Barrie Kosky]], [[Stuart Maunder]] and [[Graeme Murphy]].<ref name="Togher" />
⚫
==Major roles==

She also performed in music theatre, cabaret, theatre restaurant and on the concert podium. In 2015, she was chosen as Mother Abbess in the national tour of ''[[The Sound of Music]]'' in Australia and New Zealand. Reviewer Lesley Reed noted in ''Stage Whispers'': "The standout performance comes from Jacqueline Dark as The Mother Abbess. She embodies the firm but caring mother and her towering, glorious voice closes the first act with a stunning rendition of '[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]'."<ref name="Togher" /> She appeared as a soloist with groups including the Melbourne Chorale, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (concert series), [[Orchestra Victoria]], the [[Australian National Academy of Music]], the [[Royal Philharmonic Society]], and the [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra]].<ref name="Opera Australia" /> She performed the alto solo in Rossini's [[Stabat Mater (Rossini)|Stabat Mater]] for the [[West Australian Symphony Orchestra]]. Dark joined the [[Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra]] along with [[Trisha Crowe]], [[Michael Falzon (actor)|Michael Falzon]], [[Amanda Harrison]] and others to record ''I Dreamed a Dream: Hit Songs from Broadway'' for [[ABC Classics]] in 2013.<ref name=Dream>{{cite web|title=I Dreamed a Dream – Hit Songs From Broadway|url=http://abcmusic.com.au/discography/i-dreamed-dream-%E2%80%93-hit-songs-broadway|publisher=ABC Music|access-date=29 July 2013}}</ref>

=== Personal life ===
Dark and "her best friend", [[Kanen Breen]], who is [[gay]], co-parented her son.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/two-of-us-jacqui-dark-and-kanen-breen-20130617-2ocza.html|access-date=5 October 2023|title=Two of us: Jacqui Dark and Kanen Breen|author=Stephen Lacey|type=interview|date=22 June 2013|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref name="Blake" />

⚫
Dark died on 3 October 2023, at age 55, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer the year before.<ref name="Blake">{{Cite magazine|last=Blake |first=Jason |date=4 October 2023 |title=Opera star and cabaret singer Jacqueline Dark has died |url=https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/opera-star-and-cabaret-singer-jacqueline-dark-has-died/ |access-date=4 October 2023|magazine=[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]}}</ref>
⚫
<!--== Major roles ==
Major roles performed by Dark include:<ref>[http://www.opera-australia.org.au/aboutus/our_artists/principal_artists/jacqueline_dark Jacqueline Dark], profile at Opera Australia, [http://www.operabase.com/listart.cgi?id=none&lang=en&name=Jacqueline+%5BDark%5D Jacqueline Dark], performance schedule at OperaBase</ref>
Major roles performed by Dark include:<ref>[http://www.opera-australia.org.au/aboutus/our_artists/principal_artists/jacqueline_dark Jacqueline Dark], profile at Opera Australia, [http://www.operabase.com/listart.cgi?id=none&lang=en&name=Jacqueline+%5BDark%5D Jacqueline Dark], performance schedule at OperaBase</ref>
*Fricka (''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]'' – Wagner) Opera Australia
* Fricka (''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]'' – Wagner) Opera Australia
* Herodias (''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' – Strauss) Opera Australia
* Herodias (''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' – Strauss) Opera Australia
*Donna Elvira (''[[Don Giovanni]]'' – Mozart) Opera Australia
* Donna Elvira (''[[Don Giovanni]]'' – Mozart) Opera Australia
*Katisha (''[[The Mikado]]'' – Gilbert and Sullivan) Opera Australia
* Katisha (''[[The Mikado]]'' – Gilbert and Sullivan) Opera Australia
*Marcellina (''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'' – Mozart) Opera Australia
* Marcellina (''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'' – Mozart) Opera Australia
*Maddalena (''[[Rigoletto]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
* Maddalena (''[[Rigoletto]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
*Annina (''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' – Strauss) Opera Australia
* Annina (''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' – Strauss) Opera Australia
*Rosmira (''[[Partenope]]'' – Handel) Opera Australia
* Rosmira (''[[Partenope]]'' – Handel) Opera Australia
*Emilia (''[[Otello]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
* Emilia (''[[Otello]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
*Flora (''[[La traviata]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
* Flora (''[[La traviata]]'' – Verdi) Opera Australia
*Suzuki (''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' – Puccini) Opera Australia and Opera Queensland
* Suzuki (''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' – Puccini) Opera Australia and Opera Queensland
*The Composer (''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'' – Strauss) Victorian Opera
* The Composer (''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'' – Strauss) Victorian Opera
*Dorabella (''[[Così fan tutte]]'' – Mozart) Victorian Opera
* Dorabella (''[[Così fan tutte]]'' – Mozart) Victorian Opera
*Carmen (''[[Carmen]]'' – Bizet) Eastern Metropolitan Opera
* Carmen (''[[Carmen]]'' – Bizet) Eastern Metropolitan Opera one source doesn't work, the other doesn't support "major"-->

⚫
==Recordings==
⚫
For Opera Australia and CinemaLive – DVD and CD recordings:
*''The Marriage of Figaro'' (Mozart)
*''Der Rosenkavalier'' (Strauss)
*''The Mikado'' (Gilbert and Sullivan)
*''Don Giovanni'' (Mozart)


⚫
== Recordings ==
For Opera Australia and ABC:
For Opera Australia and ABC:
*''Lindy'' (2001) – Stringer/Sally Lowe (Henderson)<ref>[https://awscdn.australianmusiccentre.com.au/documents/att_646.pdf ''Lindy'' liner notes], ABC Classics 2001, 476 7489 CD</ref>
*''Lindy'' (Henderson)


⚫
For Opera Australia and CinemaLive – DVD and CD recordings:
⚫
For the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and ABC Classics (as part of a compilation)<ref name=Dream />
*''The Marriage of Figaro'' (2010) – Marcellina (Mozart)<ref>[https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=OPOZ56002BD ''The Marriage of Figaro''], Opera Australia 2010, OPOZ56002BD Blu-ray</ref>
⚫
*''I Dreamed a Dream – Hit Songs From Broadway'' – "[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]" from ''[[The Sound of Music]]''
*''The Mikado'' (2011) – Katisha (Gilbert and Sullivan)<ref>[https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=OPOZ56015BD ''The Mikado''], Opera Australia 2011, OPOZ56015BD Blu-ray</ref>
*Frozen (Madonna Cover) featured vocalist on Australian singer Greg Gould’s duets album ‘1998’
*''Don Giovanni'' (2012) – Donna Elvira (Mozart)<ref>[https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=OPOZ56024BD ''Don Giovanni''], Opera Australia 2012, OPOZ56024BD Blu-ray</ref>
*''Der Rosenkavalier'' (2013) – Annina (Strauss)<ref>[https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=OPOZ56027BD ''Der Rosenkavalier''], Opera Australia 2013, OPOZ56027BD Blu-ray</ref>


⚫
For the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and ABC Classics (as part of a compilation)
==Recognition==
⚫
*''I Dreamed a Dream – Hit Songs From Broadway'' (2013) – "[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]" from ''[[The Sound of Music]]''<ref name=Dream />


For [[Greg Gould]]'s album of duets, ''1998'' (1998):
Among Dark's awards and major prizes are two [[Green Room Awards]] for her role of Tisbe in Opera Australia's ''La Cenerentola'' (2004) and as Donna Elvira in ''Don Giovanni'' in 2011, an overseas study grant by the [[Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust]] (2001), the [[Vienna State Opera]] Award (2000), 3rd place in the [[Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions]] finals (1999), as well as a finalist in McDonald's Operatic Aria (1999, 2000), [[Herald Sun]] Aria (1998, 2000), National Liederfest (2000), [[Royal Opera House|Covent Garden National Opera]] Studio Scholarship (1998). She has won the Ringwood Aria 1997, [[Geelong]] Aria (1997), [[Fletcher Jones (Australian entrepreneur)|Fletcher Jones]] Memorial Aria (1994), [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] Aria (1993), Victorian Theatre Guild Award (Performance of Distinction) (1989), Encore Award for Performance of Excellence (1986).<ref name=HR /> Dark won the award for Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera at the [[13th Helpmann Awards|2013 Helpmann Awards]] for her role as Herodias in Opera Australia's ''Salome''<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Helpmann Award Winners|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/2013-helpmann-award-winners|publisher=Stage Whispers|access-date=29 July 2013|date=29 July 2013}}</ref> and nominated in the 2014 Helpmann Award Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera category for The Melbourne Ring Cycle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Helpmann Awards 2014 NOMINATIONS|url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/assets/2014-ha-nominees.pdf|publisher=Helpmann Awards|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref>
*"[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]" ([[Madonna]])<ref>{{Discogs release|1998|Greg Gould – 1998}}</ref>


== Awards ==
Dark launched the 2007 season at Her Majesty's Theatre in her home town of Ballarat as Dorabella in ''Così fan tutte''.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}
Among Dark's major competition achievements are winning the [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] Aria in 1993, [[Fletcher Jones (Australian entrepreneur)|Fletcher Jones]] Memorial Aria and Memorial Aria both in 1994, Ringwood Aria and [[Geelong]] Aria both in 1997, [[Herald Sun]] Aria in both 1998 and 2000, finalist in McDonald's Operatic Aria in both 1999 and 2000, National Liederfest in 2000.<ref name=HR />

She achieved a Victorian Theatre Guild Award (Performance of Distinction) in 1989, a [[Royal Opera House]] studio scholarship in 1998, the [[Vienna State Opera]] Award of 2000, an overseas study grant by the [[Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust]] in 2001, and two [[Green Room Awards]] for her role of Tisbe in Opera Australia's ''La Cenerentola'' in 2004 and as Donna Elvira in ''Don Giovanni'' in 2011.<ref name=HR /> Dark won the award for Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera at the [[13th Helpmann Awards|2013 Helpmann Awards]] for her role as Herodias in Opera Australia's ''Salome''<ref name="Opera Australia" /> and was nominated in the 2014 Helpmann Award Best in the same category for The Melbourne Ring Cycle.<ref name="Opera Australia" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Helpmann Awards 2014 Nominations|url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/assets/2014-ha-nominees.pdf|publisher=Helpmann Awards|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref>


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
{{reflist|30em}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
*{{official|https://jacquelinedark.com/}}
* {{official|https://jacquelinedark.com/}}
*[http://www.patricktogher.com/artist/mezzo-soprano/Jacqueline-Dark/1a7kw159e9/ Profile], Patrick Togher Artists' Management
* [https://www.patricktogher.com/jacqueline-dark Jacqueline Dark], Patrick Togher Artists' Management
* {{discogs artist|Jacqueline Dark}}
* {{Discogs artist|Jacqueline Dark}}
* {{imdb name|5604126}}
* {{IMDb name|5604126}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/vale-jacqueline-dark-2671106/|access-date=9 October 2023|title=Vale Jacqueline Dark|type=includes summaries of tributes|date=6 October 2023|website=artshub.com.au|ref=none}}

* [https://limelightmagazine.com.au/tag/jacqueline-dark/ "Jacqueline Dark"], articles at ''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]''


{{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark, Jacqueline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark, Jacqueline}}
[[Category:1960s births]]
[[Category:1960s births]]
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[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women opera singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women opera singers]]
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[[Category:Australian mezzo-sopranos]]
[[Category:Australian mezzo-sopranos]]
[[Category:Helpmann Award winners]]
[[Category:Helpmann Award winners]]
⚫
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Federation University Australia alumni]]
[[Category:Federation University Australia alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women opera singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women opera singers]]

Latest revision as of 18:44, 12 October 2023

Jacqueline Dark
Smiling woman with blonde hair
Dark, c. 2007
Born1967 or 1968
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Died (aged 55)
Sydney, Australia
Other namesJacqueline Moran
OccupationOperatic mezzo-soprano
OrganizationsOpera Australia
Awards
Websitejacquelinedark.com

Jacqueline Lisa Dark[1] (also Jacqueline Moran;[2][3] 1967 or 1968 – 3 October 2023) was an Australian operatic mezzo-soprano who appeared mainly with Australian companies, for a while as a member of Opera Australia. She was known for her voice in leading roles, including world premieres, but also for her stage presence and "a unique sense of comic timing".[4]

Dark was awarded a Greenn Room Award for performing as Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni in 2011, and a 2013 Helpmann Awards for Herodias in Salome, among others. Active also in music theatre and cabaret, she toured Australia and New Zealand in 2015 as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, and a reviewer wrote: "She embodies the firm but caring mother and her towering, glorious voice closes the first act with a stunning rendition of 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'."

Life and career

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She was born in Ballarat and attended the University of Ballarat from 1986 to 1988, receiving a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and a Graduate Diploma of Education in 1989, and worked teaching in Ballarat.[1][4]

Dark trained at the Victorian College of the Arts where she received first class honours in the Graduate Diploma of Opera in 1995.[4]

Performance

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Dark performed with Opera Australia, Victorian State Opera, and was a member of Opera Queensland's Young Artist Program in 2000.[5] At the Vienna State Opera, she performed the roles of Giovanna in Verdi's Rigoletto, Grimgerde in Wagner's Die Walküre, Annina in Verdi's La traviata, Mercedes in Bizet's Carmen, Pastore (shepherd) in Puccini's Tosca,[1] Ines in Verdi's Il trovatore and Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto.[6] She returned to Australia in 2002.[1]

In 2006, she appeared as Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte in the first performance of the Victorian Opera, conducted by Richard Gill. She was already hired by Opera Australia's music director, Richard Hickox. She performed there as Herodias in a new production of Salome by Richard Strauss in 2012.[4] In 2013, she performed the roles of Meg Page in Verdi's Falstaff, Lady Billows in Britten's Albert Herring, and both Fricka and Second Norne in Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen. She added Filippyevna in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, Emilia in Verdi's Otello, and Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni to her repertoire in 2014, Amneris in Verdi's Aida and Marcellina in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro in 2015.[6]

As a freelance singer, she performed as Santuzza in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana for the State Opera of South Australia, winning a Curtain Call award in the category Best Female Performance,[4][6] the soprano title role in the Australian premiere of Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna,[6] with Kanen Breen as the Journalist,[7] at the 2017 Adelaide Festival, Berenice in Vivaldi's Farnace for the Pinchgut Opera, Mrs Sedley in Britten's Peter Grimes for the Brisbane Festival, the Old Lady in Bernstein's Candide for the New Zealand Opera, Anne in Tom Waits' The Black Rider for the Malthouse Theatre and the Victorian Opera.[6] She returned to Opera Australia as Fricka, Herodias, and as the Countess in Shostakovitch's The Nose in 2018.[4][6]

Her repertoire also included the roles of the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos by R. Strauss, the title role in Carmen, the title role and Tisbe in Rossini's La Cenerentola (for which she won another Green Room Award), Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Rosmira in Handel's Partenope, Maurya in Riders to the Sea), Maddalena in Rigoletto, Annina in Der Rosenkavalier by R. Strauss, Pitti-Sing/Katisha in The Mikado, and Mary in Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer.[6]

Dark performed the role of Sally Lowe in the world premiere of Moya Henderson's Lindy[2] and the title role in Tchaikovsky's Iolanthe for Opera Australia,[1][6] and covered the role of Pearl in the world premiere of Richard Mills' Summer of the Seventeenth Doll.[1][8]

She collaborated with directors including Neil Armfield, Lindy Hume, Barrie Kosky, Stuart Maunder and Graeme Murphy.[4]

She also performed in music theatre, cabaret, theatre restaurant and on the concert podium. In 2015, she was chosen as Mother Abbess in the national tour of The Sound of Music in Australia and New Zealand. Reviewer Lesley Reed noted in Stage Whispers: "The standout performance comes from Jacqueline Dark as The Mother Abbess. She embodies the firm but caring mother and her towering, glorious voice closes the first act with a stunning rendition of 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'."[4] She appeared as a soloist with groups including the Melbourne Chorale, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (concert series), Orchestra Victoria, the Australian National Academy of Music, the Royal Philharmonic Society, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.[6] She performed the alto solo in Rossini's Stabat Mater for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Dark joined the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra along with Trisha Crowe, Michael Falzon, Amanda Harrison and others to record I Dreamed a Dream: Hit Songs from Broadway for ABC Classics in 2013.[9]

Personal life

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Dark and "her best friend", Kanen Breen, who is gay, co-parented her son.[10][11]

Dark died on 3 October 2023, at age 55, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer the year before.[11]

Recordings

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For Opera Australia and ABC:

  • Lindy (2001) – Stringer/Sally Lowe (Henderson)[12]

For Opera Australia and CinemaLive – DVD and CD recordings:

  • The Marriage of Figaro (2010) – Marcellina (Mozart)[13]
  • The Mikado (2011) – Katisha (Gilbert and Sullivan)[14]
  • Don Giovanni (2012) – Donna Elvira (Mozart)[15]
  • Der Rosenkavalier (2013) – Annina (Strauss)[16]

For the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and ABC Classics (as part of a compilation)

For Greg Gould's album of duets, 1998 (1998):

Awards

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Among Dark's major competition achievements are winning the Shell Aria in 1993, Fletcher Jones Memorial Aria and Memorial Aria both in 1994, Ringwood Aria and Geelong Aria both in 1997, Herald Sun Aria in both 1998 and 2000, finalist in McDonald's Operatic Aria in both 1999 and 2000, National Liederfest in 2000.[1]

She achieved a Victorian Theatre Guild Award (Performance of Distinction) in 1989, a Royal Opera House studio scholarship in 1998, the Vienna State Opera Award of 2000, an overseas study grant by the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 2001, and two Green Room Awards for her role of Tisbe in Opera Australia's La Cenerentola in 2004 and as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni in 2011.[1] Dark won the award for Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera at the 2013 Helpmann Awards for her role as Herodias in Opera Australia's Salome[6] and was nominated in the 2014 Helpmann Award Best in the same category for The Melbourne Ring Cycle.[6][18]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Dark, Jacqueline Lisa". Honour Roll. Federation University Australia. November 2005. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Lindy" (PDF) (performance flyer). Opera Australia. October 2002. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Awards 2000–2005". Tait Memorial Trust. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Togher, Patrick (5 October 2023). "Opera star who conquered TV and the Opera House dies at 55". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Young Artist Program". Opera Queensland. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Jacqueline Dark". Opera Australia. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  7. ^ Tracey Korsten (19 March 2017). "Festival Review: Prima Donna/Rufus Does Judy". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved 5 October 2023.; Louise Nunn (14 March 2017). "Rufus Wainwright brings Prima Donna and Rufus Does Judy to the Adelaide Festival". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  8. ^ Janine Marshman (4 October 2023). "Australian mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark has died aged 55". ABC Classic. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b "I Dreamed a Dream – Hit Songs From Broadway". ABC Music. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  10. ^ Stephen Lacey (22 June 2013). "Two of us: Jacqui Dark and Kanen Breen". The Sydney Morning Herald (interview). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b Blake, Jason (4 October 2023). "Opera star and cabaret singer Jacqueline Dark has died". Limelight. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  12. ^ Lindy liner notes, ABC Classics 2001, 476 7489 CD
  13. ^ The Marriage of Figaro, Opera Australia 2010, OPOZ56002BD Blu-ray
  14. ^ The Mikado, Opera Australia 2011, OPOZ56015BD Blu-ray
  15. ^ Don Giovanni, Opera Australia 2012, OPOZ56024BD Blu-ray
  16. ^ Der Rosenkavalier, Opera Australia 2013, OPOZ56027BD Blu-ray
  17. ^ Greg Gould – 1998 at Discogs
  18. ^ "Helpmann Awards 2014 Nominations" (PDF). Helpmann Awards. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
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