Opera star Marilyn Richardson has made her debut in a play at the Sydney Theatre Company aged 87. The former superstar soprano plays an opera-loving Serbian migrant, now in aged care who wants desperately to go home, in Do Not Go Gentle, by Patricia Cornelius. It is her debut in a play.
Richardson studied piano and singing at Sydney Conservatorium of Music in the late 1960s, before heading to Europe to further her studies. She returned to join Opera Australia where she was known for her striking acting skills, beautiful voice and flair for languages. She was best known for playing Salome, Aida and Laura in the world premiere of Richard Meale’s Voss, an adaptation of Patrick White’s novel.
“Marilyn Richardson is not just a renowned opera star; she is a true legend in the world of music,” said Professor Anna Reid, Dean of Sydney Con. “I had the privilege of witnessing her brilliance firsthand in Voss, which was one of the first Australian operas and was particularly hard-hitting.
“In this remarkable production, she showcased her versatility as an artist, seamlessly merging her opera prowess with the dramatic intensity required for the stage. Marilyn’s performance was a revelation, an embodiment of the complexities and nuances that make the arts truly transformative.”