15-07-2025
Iconic Australian singer dies after 40-year career: 'She won the hearts of audiences'
The Australian opera community is in mourning following the death of much-loved mezzo-soprano singer Rosemary Gunn.
The Scottish-born singer moved to Australia at a young age and spent more than 40 years captivating audiences.
Gunn joined Opera Australia in 1972 and became a fixture on the country's biggest opera stages thanks to her powerful voice, commanding presence and remarkable versatility.
Her passing was confirmed by Opera Australia.
'Vale Rosemary Gunn. Over a four decade career with, she won the hearts of both colleagues and audience,' the statement began.
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'She was a valued member of Opera Australia's Principals and was an excellent singer in a wide range of repertoire,' it concluded.
Tributes have been pouring in for the veteran performer, who died after retiring from the stage in 2008.
'Terribly sad news! A wonderful performer and an absolute pro. Rosemary was always kind to the younger singers coming on,' one friend wrote online.
'She was the loveliest colleague, considerate and easy to work with. She was very quiet and I never heard her speak an ill word of anybody. RIP dear one,' another added.
Opera Australia said Gunn was 'a very fine talent, company member and friend' whose devotion to both the company and the art form remained strong long after her final curtain call.
A valued member of Opera Australia's Principals ensemble, Gunn won the Pan Pacific Final of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Honolulu and the Sydney Sun Aria in 1977.
These achievements helped cement her reputation as one of the nation's most accomplished voices.
She shared the stage with some of Australia's and New Zealand's most renowned operatic performers across her celebrated career.
They included Anthony Warlow and Dame Joan Sutherland.
Away from the stage, she was known for her warmth, her dedication to nurturing young talent and her deep love for her beloved dog.
She is survived by her husband, Graeme Williams, a veteran chorister with Opera Australia.
