Sian Sharp

Carmen on Cockatoo Island 

"It is the award-winning singing of mezzo soprano Sian Sharp that confirms. Perhaps given the richness of her opera performance history, the clarity and resonance of her singing should be no surprise. Yet it is the posture and presence of Sian Sharp that declares she is Carmen: I am who I am and not beholden to any man. Sian Sharp struts the stage like a rock star indeed. Her chin lifted. Her legs firm, her hips thrust slightly forward in command. She leaves us no doubt. Even in the last scene. In truth, she couldn't have sung or played the new Carmen better."

Rebecca Varidel, Sydney Scoop, November 2022

"Australian mezzo-soprano Sian Sharp played the title role for this performance and really was excellent. Dressed as a Joan Jett-style rock chick, she strutted and pouted with passion, and sang with superb pitch and clarity."

Diana Carroll, Artshub, November 2022 

Madama Butterfly 

"A crtitical role in this opera is that of Suzuki . . . Australian mezzo Sian Sharp is absolute perfection in this role. With convincing acting now being a requisite for dramatic opera, Miss Sharp combines this with a purity of voice."

Victor Grynberg, J-Wire, July 2022

"In the role of the faithful servant, far from simpering acquiesence, Sian Sharp's Suzuki has a knowing, seasoned perspective on her mistress's indignities. Sharp's voice has developed wonderful warmth and she phrases lines with a natural sense of musical shape."

Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald, June 2022

"Sian Sharp was excellent as Suzuki, Butterfly's trusty servant. Sharp successfully plays her as a cocky tomboy through Act I, who becomes a warm confidante in Act II and vigilant defender in Act III. The role was a well-acted and beautifully sung portrayal of a character who can often be overlooked." 

Deen Hamaker, Sounds Like Sydney, June 28, 2019 

Die Walküre 

"Sian Pendry, as Waltraute, was riveting in her plea to Brünhilde to relinquish the ring."

Paul Selar, Herald Sun, November 2016

The Marriage of Figaro

"Sian Sharp . . . sang the long-lost mother, Marcellina, splendidly with rounded polished sound and well-shaped phrase."

Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald, January 30, 2022 

Andrea Chenier 

"Sian Sharp brings a rare and welcome warmth as Maddalena's faithful maid Bersi."

Diana Simmonds, Stage Noise, August 10, 2019

Rigoletto 

"Sian Pendry, as his sister Maddalena, captured a sense of vocal freedom and seductive colour."

Peter McCallum, Sydney Morning Herald, July 8, 2018

Don Quichotte 

" . . . Sian Pendry was a wonderful La belle Dulcinée, her honey-golden mezzo reaching an apex in Lorsque le temps d'amour a fui or Act 4 . . . "

Davud Barmby, Arts Hub, May 11, 2018 

 

Sian Sharp joined Opera Australia as a member of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artists’ Development Program following her time as a Developing Artist with Opera Queensland.

 

She has since sung many of the major mezzo-soprano roles for the company including the title role in Carmen and Mercedes (Carmen), Amneris (Aida), Marchesa Melibea (Il Viaggio a Reims), La Belle Dulcinée (Don Quichotte), Waltraute and Siegrune (Ring Cycle), Giovanna and Maddalena (Rigoletto), Marcellina (The Marriage of Figaro), Emilia (Otello), Pantalis and Marta (Mefistofele) Olga (Eugene Onegin), Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Arsace (Partenope), Federica (Luisa Miller), Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Annio (La Clemenza di Tito), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Stéphano (Romeo and Juliet), Nancy (Albert Herring), Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Inez (Il Trovatore), Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana), Kitchen Boy (Rusalka), Page (Salome). Sian has also appeared with Opera Australia in concert as Bersi (Andrea Chenier) and Albine (Thais), as well as in The Domain and New Year’s Eve Gala Concerts and their Great Opera Hits concerts.

 

This year Sian returns to the roles of Suzuki (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour), Giovanna and Maddalena, and will also perform the role of the Muse in Tales of Hoffmann. Her major role covers will include Amneris, and Flosshilde and Waltraute (Wagner’s Ring Cycle). Sian will also feature in Sydney Philharmonia Choir’s presentation of Mahler’s 8th Symphony.

 

On the concert platform Sian has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Handel’s Messiah, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as Mary in The Flying Dutchman.  For Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Sian has sung in Bach’s St. John Passion, Elijah, Dream of Gerontius, and a series of Bach concerts. 

Sian Sharp is managed by Graham Pushee: graham@artsmanagement.com.au
March 2023
   This biography is for general information purposes only and not for publication.
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