Cara O'Sullivan facts for kids
Cara O'Sullivan was a famous Irish singer known for her amazing high voice. She was born in 1962 and passed away on January 26, 2021.
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About Cara O'Sullivan
Cara grew up in The Lough, Cork, a place in Ireland. Her family loved music! Both her parents and grandparents were singers, even though it wasn't their job. She had three siblings, including her sisters Aoife and Nuala. Nuala even represented Cork in the Rose of Tralee festival in the 1980s. Cara had one daughter named Christine. She lived in Frankfield, Cork, and her friends sometimes called her "Caradiva."
Her Singing Journey
Cara's family noticed her voice becoming special when she was about 12 years old. She went to the Cork School of Music. When she was 17, the head of the school told her parents that Cara could achieve anything she wanted in music and reach the very top.
In her twenties, Cara took a break from singing for four years. She returned to music after her daughter was born.
Big Roles and Performances
Cara got her first major role in 1996 when she was 34. She played Donna Anna in the opera Don Giovanni with Welsh National Opera. The famous Australian singer Dame Joan Sutherland even helped Cara get ready for this role.
In 1997 and 1998, Cara starred as the Queen of the Night in Opera North's performances of The Magic Flute. A newspaper called The Daily Telegraph praised her "spirit and diamantine accuracy," which means her singing was very strong and precise. She also appeared on a charity album called Sanctuary in 2008, which helped people affected by domestic violence.
Cara performed in many other famous operas and musical pieces, including Così fan tutte, La traviata, Handel's Messiah, and Faust.
She performed in many different places around the world, such as:
- English National Opera
- Everyman Palace Theatre
- National Concert Hall
- Paris Opera
- Sydney Opera House
- Vlaamse Opera
In 2019, Cara received the first-ever Cork Culture Award from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mick Finn.
Her Amazing Voice
Cara O'Sullivan was known as a "dramatic coloratura soprano." This means she had a powerful voice that could sing very high and fast notes with great skill. People described her as having a "fearsome coloratura" and "spitfire-like delivery," showing how impressive and energetic her singing was.
Health and Retirement
Cara faced some health challenges during her life. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly before she was supposed to start rehearsals for a show. A lump on her leg was found by her beautician. Even though she had cancer, it didn't stop her from performing. She received treatment while continuing to work, performing many times in a short period.
She also had a small operation on her vocal cords to remove nodules. After the operation, she rested and was completely silent for a week to help her voice heal.
In 2018, Cara was diagnosed with dementia at an early age. This led to her retiring from professional singing. Special concerts were held in her honor in Cork and Dublin to celebrate her career.
Cara O'Sullivan passed away on January 26, 2021. Many people shared tributes to her talent and how much she contributed to music in Ireland and around the world. The Irish Independent newspaper mentioned that she was known for helping with charity events and for her great sense of humor.
Her Legacy
After Cara's death, the Cork Opera House announced plans to create a special program in her memory. This program, called the Cara O'Sullivan Associated Artists programme, helps new opera singers in her name.
The program honors Cara's life and work and the love her audience had for her. By doing this, the Cork Opera House hopes to help the future of opera in Cork city. This way, future generations can benefit from the amazing legacy she left behind. The program aims to give young Irish opera artists a chance to develop their skills, perform concerts with orchestras, and create their own shows.
Associated Artists (2021-2023)
- Emma Nash - Soprano
- Rachel - Soprano
- Gavan Ring - Tenor
- Rory Musgrave - Baritone
