Jacqui Dark pictured backstage at Camelot Lounge in 2021. Photo © Bec Hannaford

Jacqueline Dark, one of Australia’s best-known and most loved singers has died after a long illness. She was 55.

A dual Helpmann Award-winner, Dark’s recent performances included The Mother Abbess in the National Tour of The Sound of Music, Herodias in Opera Australia’s Salome and Fricka in its revival of Der Ring des Nibelungen, Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana for State Opera South Australia, the title role in Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna for the Adelaide Festival, Berenice in Farnace for Pinchgut Opera, Mrs Sedley in Peter Grimes for the Brisbane Festival and major concerts with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

She won a Helpmann Award for her portrayal of Herodias in Opera Australia’s production of Salome, later singing the same role for Opera Hong Kong. In August 2014, she received her second consecutive Helpmann Award – for her work as Fricka in Opera Australia’s Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Dark was due to sing Wellgunde in Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Das Rheingold this November and feature in a starring role for Opera Australia in 2024.