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HEATHER

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BEGG

AN  APPRECIATION

Heather Begg is a mezzo-soprano from New Zealand who has made an indelible impression in a wide variety of roles in a long and distinguished career.  Heather studied at the Sydney Conservatory of Music and from 1954 to 1956 she sang as principal mezzo soprano with the National Opera of Australia before winning a New Zealand Government bursary in 1956 which enabled her to study at the National School of Opera in London.  Between 1959 and 1962 she appeared with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, the New Opera Company, the Royal Opera and the English Opera Group in a wide variety of roles.  From 1961 until 1964 she sang as principal mezzo-soprano with Sadler's Wells.  In 1964 she returned to New Zealand and sang with the New Zealand Opera Company until 1966.  Heather then returned to Britain and joined the Royal Opera where her many roles have included Teresa in La Sonnambula, Emilia in Otello, Anna in Les Troyens, Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana, Marina in Boris Godunov, Larina in Eugene Onegin.

I first heard her voice in an English language Cenerentola produced by Australian television in the mid-sixties.  As was often the case in those times, singers didn't get to act the part. Their role was taken by an actor apparently deemed more suitable for the part.  In this case we had a china-doll Cinderella who really did not quite match the rich tones of Heather Begg !
Later, I saw her Juno in a television production of Orpheus in the Underworld with the delectable June Bronhill as Eurydice. (CA188).

In 1975 Heather appeared with the Chicago Lyric Opera in a production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle was sufficiently impressed by Heather's Marcellina to invite her to appear in his film version along with Mirella Freni as Susanna and Herman Prey as Figaro.

Richard Bonynge's invitation to join the Australian Opera brought Heather back to the Antipodes and she became a stalwart member of the company.  Her Lady Pamela  in Fra Diavolo was sheer delight as was her portrayal of the Marquise in La Fille du Régiment.  She could put on the power when required and gave a formidable interpretation of the Princess opposite the Adriana Lecouvreur of Joan Sutherland.

Despite being worried by a condition which made ease of movement not that easy, Heather was very pleased to be able to appear on stage again in 2006 as the Grandmother, with the Jenufa of Cheryl Barker.  Heather could still  "deliver the goods" !  A lady of keen intelligence, great charm and generosity, she is a singer who continues to be remembered with affection by all those who have enjoyed her portrayals on the operatic stage over many years.

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To be prepared ............