Aprhrodite
Performer
In a seductive world of beauty and desire, the pursuit for perfection leads to isolation rather than connection…
A CONTEMPORARY OPERA BY NICO MUHLY, PRESENTED BY SYDNEY CHAMBER OPERA
Is it Aphrodite’s fault that the beauty industry has never been more powerful?
Jessica O’Donoghue as Ava
This sharp libretto delves into how the beauty myth, influenced by the legacy of the goddess Aphrodite, distorts our search for love and belonging, ultimately finding that real connection can only emerge when we are truly seen.
“Both in voice and movement, Jessica O’Donoghue as Ava and Meechot Marrero as Aphrodite are utterly mesmerising. Their vocal performances are superbly nuanced to emotion: the exultation of sexual power, the languor of seduction, the agony of self-doubt.”
SCORE: Nico Muhly
DIRECTOR: Alexander Berlage
LIBRETTO: Laura Lethlean
PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Bond
-
![Logo of The ConverStation with stylized text and a red circle representing a speech bubble.]()
“The opera’s success is due in no small part to the extraordinary performances of its two leads. Jessica O’Donoghue is outstanding as Ava, delivering a vocally precise and emotionally raw performance. She captures Ava’s complexities – such as her intellectual sharpness and emotional vulnerability – with extraordinary depth.”
– The Conversation
-
![Text reading 'LIMELIGHT Music, Arts & Culture' in bold red and black font.]()
“a mini masterpiece that looks as captivating as it sounds.”
– Limelight ★★★★★
-
![Text reading 'THEATRE RED' in bold black letters]()
“Both in voice and movement, Jessica O’Donoghue as Ava and Meechot Marrero as Aphrodite are utterly mesmerising. Their vocal performances are superbly nuanced to emotion: the exultation of sexual power, the languor of seduction, the agony of self-doubt.”
– Theatre Red
-
![Logo for 'What's The Show' featuring a stylized yellow and white star with radiating lines on a black background and the show's title in bold yellow and black text.]()
“Jessica O’Donoghue gives a deeply affecting performance as Ava, vocally assured and emotionally transparent. Her portrayal balances intellect and fragility, making Ava’s descent into disconnection feel both inevitable and tragic.”
– What’s The Show (4.5 stars)
-
![Sydney Arts Guide logo with colorful vertical stripes on the left and black background with white text.]()
“Ava’s angular vocal line peaks and troughs but continues on, sung with perfect nuance of an unravelling modern resolve by local vocal powerhouse Jessica O’Donoghue. This singer shows total affinity with the modern operatic through-composed flow. Her dramatic range and movement from roomentrance through bedroom, mirrored preparation area to a hectic bathroom is wedded with arrow-through-the-heart accuracy in her realisation of Muhly’s vocal thread for this character.”
– Sydney Arts Guide
Aphrodite - Full length performance
Performance/Interview on The Music Show by ABC Radio National
Sat 14 Jun 2025
Singing the Aphrodite myth, and a new take on golden age of Persian contemporary music
