F R I  D  A  Y     2  9     M  A  Y      |     7  P  M

Opera Gala

Jane Ede & Helen Sherman

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“So sublime you want to cry”

- LIMELIGHT

“A soprano of ravishing tone and presence” “A mezzo with dramatic strength and depth”

- THE AUSTRALIAN & THE GUARDIAN

“Melodic intelligence and dramatic vivacity”

- GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE

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Jane Ede and Helen Sherman, two radiant stars of Opera Australia, share the stage for a gala evening of treasured arias and duets. A celebration of voice, artistry, and Australia’s rich operatic legacy.

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Programme

Arias

PUCCINI “Un bel di vedremo” from Madame Butterfly

DVOŘÁK “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka

MOZART “Come scoglio” from Così fan tutte

PUCCINI “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi

MOZART “Parto, Parto” from Clemenza di Tito

BIZET “Habanera” from Carmen

ROSSINI “Una voce poco fa” from Barbiere of Seville

MOZART “Voi che Sapete” from Le nozze di Figaro

Duets 

MOZART “Ah guards sorella” from Così fan tutte

MOZART “Prendero quel brunettino” from Così fan tutte 

BELLINI “Mira Norma” from Norma

MOZART “Ah, perdona al primo affetto” Clemenza di Tito

OFFENBACH “Barcarolle” from Tales of Hoffmann

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Two of Australia’s brightest operatic stars — soprano Jane Ede and mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman — join forces for a glittering evening of opera’s most beloved arias and duets. From soaring lyricism to dramatic passion, this gala concert celebrates the power and beauty of the female voice in full flight. Ede and Sherman stand as the next great chapter in Australia’s illustrious operatic story breathing new life into the classics that have stood the test of time.

Described as “show-stopping” and “a revelation,” Jane Ede has been a principal artist with Opera Australia for over a decade, renowned for her intelligent, refined singing and dramatic flair. Helen Sherman, a star of Opera Australia and an internationally acclaimed mezzo, has graced the stages of Covent Garden and the Royal Albert Hall, represented Australia at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, and wowed critics globally with her blend of elegance and power.

Together, these two Aussie pearls now walk the Snow Concert Hall stage — a force to be reckoned with as they honour the past and shape the future of Australia’s great opera tradition.

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Helen Sherman

Born on a lettuce farm in rural New South Wales, Australian-British mezzo soprano Helen Sherman trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM); she represented Australia at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition and at the Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition.

Recent appearances include Flora in La traviata (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden), Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (Opera North), Tamiri in Farnace, Sesto in Giulio Cesare and Irene in Theodora (Pinchgut Opera), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Teatru Manoel, Malta), the title roles in Carmen (State Opera South Australia) and Giulio Cesare (Bury Court Opera) and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Sesto in La clemenza di Tito (Classical Opera Company and The Mozartists).

After debuting with Opera Australia in 2024 as Dorabella in Così fan tutte and Mistress of the Novices in Suor Angelica, Helen returns to the company in 2025 as Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Mercédès (Carmen).

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Jane Ede

Described as ‘show stopping’, Jane Ede is one of Australia’s most versatile and highly-regarded sopranos. A principal soprano for Opera Australia since 2009, Jane has established a reputation for intelligent, refined singing and dramatic flair. 

Jane’s roles with Opera Australia include Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Musetta in La bohéme, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Billows in Albert Herring, Sara in Roberto Devereux, Wellgunde in Das Rheingold, Gerhilde in Die Walküre and Belinda in Dido and Aeneas. She sang the title role in Madama Butterfly for OA’s Regional Tour.​

Jane has been nominated for three Green Room Awards for her portrayals of Fiordiligi, Alice Ford and Frasquita. She is featured on Opera Australia’s DVD recordings of Lakmé and Rigoletto and on the Wirripang Label’s A Poet’s Composer and Horizons.