Tragic news: Opera Australia mezzo dies after domestic accident.
mainWe’ve been informed that Deirdre Elliott, a New Zealander who enjoyed a lively career in Europe before returning south in 2007 to join the OA ensemble, has died. Apparently, she fell down a flight of stairs at her sister’s house and never recovered consciousness.
Deirdre, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, is thought to have been in her late forties. She was widely known and liked on the British opera scene.
Reminds me of Fritz Wunderlich..
also the first thing I thought of…
Had been about to appear in L’Elisir D’Amore, opening in Sidney about now. Very sad.
A wonderful lady with a luscious voice, and a heart and love of life second to none.
Deirdre and I worked together as nurses in Alderney the Channel Islands in 1992 and I have a wonderful memory of her singing in the Marais Arms pub when we were fogged off and unable to fly to the mainland. She sang a Maori song much to the bemusement of the locals on a dark foggy February night. She aquired the nickname Queen of carnage and there is only 1 other nurse who would understand how this came about.
God bless you RIP
Anna