Tabatha McFadyen Steps In For Premiere Of Metamorphosis

It is a golden opportunity for soprano Tabatha McFadyen and a disappointment for Opera Australia principal Julie Lea Goodwin, who has had to withdraw from the Sydney performances of a new production of Brian Howard’s Metamorphosis due to ill health. The production has its Australian premiere at the Opera Centre in Sydney tonight.

Ms McFadyen will undergo a metamorphosis of her own, from participating in Opera Australia’s observer program for young directors to her debut as a principal for the company. She had not rehearsed the role until called upon to fill in at 24 hours’ notice.

Ms McFadyen is no newcomer to the opera stage. She has a string of credits to her name and has won a number of awards and accolades for her performances, including first prize in the Mietta Song Competition 2014 and the International Antonin Dvorak Singing Competition 2014, as well as scholarships from the Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Operatic Aria, and the Mozart Opera Institute Award. She has previously performed with Opera Australia as a member of the Ladies Chorus in Turandot at the Sydney Opera House in 2015.

Ms Goodwin will return to the role for Melbourne performances of Metamorphosis at the Merlyn Theatre at Coopers Malthouse from 25 October.