Sunraysia's own Siobhan Stagg, one of the most sought-after international performing arts stars, and latest recipient of Mildura's Key to the City, is set to captivate audiences as she returns to perform on the stage where it all began for her.
Mildura Arts Centre will host a special performance by the international soprano in Echoed Voices on Sunday 28 July at 6pm, where she will be accompanied by well-known pianist Nico de Villiers.
Tickets will be available to purchase through the Mildura Arts Centre website from 10am on Monday 13 May. Exclusive package deals are to be launched in connection with this exciting performance in coming weeks.
Siobhan's remarkable career has taken her to renowned venues around the world, including Berlin, Zurich, and Salzburg.
She was recognised for her outstanding contributions when Mildura Rural City Council bestowed one of its highest honours upon the artist as Mildura's latest Key to the City recipient in February 2023.
The Key to the City is one of two prestigious honours Council can bestow upon an individual or organisation in recognition of outstanding achievement in any field.
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood and Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Healy said the event promised to be a highlight on Mildura's cultural calendar, showcasing the extraordinary talent of one of Australia's most celebrated artists.
"Siobhan is one of the most outstanding artists to emerge from Sunraysia and Australia over the years," Cr Wood said.
"Her achievements are a glowing reflection of her amazing talent and something Sunraysia residents should be proud of."
"We're so fortunate to call Siobhan one of our own, and even more fortunate to be able to experience an international act of her calibre without leaving Mildura," Cr Healy said.
"Her performance will undoubtedly be a highlight for Mildura's arts and cultural scene and inspire upcoming artists across our region."
About the performance
ECHOED VOICES
RECITAL TOUR WITH NICO DE VILLIERS
In 2022, Siobhan Stagg and pianist Nico de Villiers recorded the first disc of songs by Academy-award winning composer, Richard Hageman. In Australia, the duo presents highlights from the Hageman album alongside songs by Richard Strauss and Henri Duparc, where some of the musical parallels (echoed voices) are touching and uncanny.
SIOBHAN STAGG BACKGROUND
Siobhan performed extensively in Mildura and completed a Bachelor Music (Hons) at the University of Melbourne in 2009 before taking her career overseas, completing a Master of Music Performance in 2012 along with a Master of Advanced Vocal Technique from Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff the following year.
Siobhan also studied privately in New York, Austria, and Italy.
Demonstrating her amazing natural talent, Siobhan's studies were supported by a host of scholarships, including:
- Australian International Opera Award (2012)
- Amelia Joscelyne Memorial Scholarship from the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust (2009-2012)
- Italian Opera Foundation Award (2012)
- Tait Memorial Foundation Prize (2012)
- Opera Foundation Australia's AIMS Award and AIMS Sundell Study Prize (2011)
- Acclaim/Rotary Sleath Lowrey Vocal Scholarship
- B'nai Brith Harold Fisher Prize (2011)
- Other scholarships including from the Faculty of Music and Trinity College at the University of Melbourne (2007-2012)
She also performed opera across the globe, including in Berlin (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland), Salzburg (Austria), Aix (France) and Dijon (France).
Siobhan's stella performances drew a host of prestigious awards including:
- First Prize and the Audience Choice Award at the Meistersinger Vocal Competition in Graz, Austria (2011)
- MWMC Singer of the Year competition in Melbourne (2011)
- First prize and the Audience Choice Award in the Mietta Song Competition in Melbourne (2012)
- The Italian Opera Foundation Award in Sydney (2012)
- The Australian International Opera Award (2012)
- First Prize in the Stuart Burrows International Voice Award in Wales (2013)
- Belvedere Singing Competition, where she won the Prize of the International Media-Jury (2014)
- International Mozart Competition in Salzburg, where she was also awarded the Special Prize for Best Interpretation of a Strauss Song (2014).
- Green Room Award for Best Female Lead in an Opera (2019)
- Oakleaf Award from Trinity College for services to the performing arts (2022)
Siobhan's full biography can be viewed at siobhanstagg.com/about
