Helen Medlyn

Helen Medlyn made her professional debut as a dancer in the chorus of the New Zealand tour of “Evita” in 1981, then worked frequently at the Mercury, becoming a company member in 1989 appearing in operas, musicals and plays until the theatre’s closure in 1992.

Since then, this versatile artist has had a busy and interesting career both here and overseas, encompassing not only opera, jazz, musical theatre, straight theatre and cabaret, but also the concert platform, singing both classical and light music repertoire.

Some of the international highlights from this artist’s eclectic mix of performances have been singing Siegrune in a concert version of “The Valkyries” with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Edo de Waart at the Sydney Opera House; being taken to Osaka, Japan as the guest artist of the NZSO to sing Elgar’s “Sea Pictures” under James Judd at a symposium for Asia/Pacific orchestras; taking the roles of Flosshilde and Schwertleite in the State Opera of South Australia’s 1998 production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen” under Jeffrey Tate; singing Brahms’ “Alto Rhapsody” with the Malaysian Philharmonik Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Choir under Jaap van Zweden at the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and understudying Brangaene in Wagner’s “Tristan and Isolde” for English National Opera.

Here in New Zealand, some memorable experiences have included playing Joy Gresham in the play “Shadowlands” at the Mercury; taking the roles of the Witch and the Mother in NBR NZ Opera’s production of “Hansel and Gretel”; performing Herodias in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s concert version of Richard Strauss’ opera “Salome”; singing Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” under Miguel Harth-Bedoya and Mahler’s “Kindertotenlieder” under Marco Zuccarini, both with the APO; being the Mistress of Ceremonies at “The Queen of the Whole Pacific: A Very Queer Beauty Pageant” for the Aids Foundation; and appearing in Nelson’s “Sealord Opera In The Park” with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

In addition to her musical and theatrical work, Helen creates and performs her “hell” cabaret shows with pianist, Penny Dodd. These popular pieces of entertainment – comprising a cocktail of songs and recitation – continue to draw critical acclaim for their unique structure and Medlyn’s distinctive delivery.