Elder Conservatorium Graduates Cast in 2026 State Opera South Australia Productions
Congratulations to Elder Conservatorium alumna Charlotte Kelso (soprano; pictured above), who will be joining State Opera South Australia's Golden Jubilee 2026 Season in the leading role of Carmen in George Bizet's much-loved Carmen (Saturday 17–Saturday 24 October 2026). Elder Conservatorium graduate and current PhD candidate Fiona McArdle (pictured below) has also been cast as Mercedes, along with ECM alumna Desiree Frahn (soprano) in the role of Micaëla.
A number of other Elder Conservatorium alumni have also been cast in leading roles throughout SOSA's 2026 Season.
- ECM alumnus Nicholas Lester (baritone) will play Dandini in Gioachino Rossini's La cenerentola (Thursday 7–Saturday 16 May).
- ECM alumna Lucy Stoddart (soprano) will play Clotilde and alumnus Callum McGing (tenor) will play Flavio in Vincenzo Bellini's Norma (Friday 15 May).
- ECM alumna Lucy Stoddart (soprano) will play the Dew Fairy / Sandman in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel (Friday 21–Saturday 29 August).
- ECM alumnus Nicholas Lester (baritone) will appear as the Narrator / Mysterious Man; Cherie Boogaart (mezzo-soprano) will appear as the Stepmother / Granny / Voice of Giant; and Eleanor Brasted (soprano) will appear as Lucinda in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods (Saturday 22–Saturday 29 August).