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Biographica

Performer

A 16th century story of humanity’s contradictions

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PRESENTED BY SYDNEY CHAMBER OPERA

A PORTRAIT OF A MAN AND A MOMENT IN TIME

Jessica O’Donoghue as Chiara

The story of Gerolamo Cardano, prolific inventor, flawed man and eccentric Renaissance mind. The contradictory story of a man who listened to angels and lived by science. Cardano wrote the first texts on the mathematics of gambling, was a recognised surgeon and a pioneer of sign language. 

Biographica explores a moment in time, when fact and faith were intertwined. It explores moments through his life, telling the story of how he lived, how he loved, and how he died. 

Winner of the 2018 APRA AMCOS Art Music Award for Vocal Work 

SCORE: Mary Finsterer

DIRECTOR:  Janice Muller

LIBRETTO: Tom Wright 

PHOTO CREDITS: Lisa Tomasetti

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  • Time Out logo in black and white

    “…five excellent soloists: Jane Sheldon, Simon Lobelson, Andrew Goodwin, Anna Fraser and Jessica O’Donoghue. Every one of these is worth lining up early for – so you can get a seat close to the stage; you may be amazed by the strength and quality of these voices.”

    — Timeout ★★★★

  • A simple black icon of a house with a chimney and a door.

    “The omni-talented Jessica O’Donoghue (a wonderful pop singer-songwriter as well as classical performer) finds an elegant awkwardness for the tragic daughter of Cardano. One hopes to see more of her on the opera stage in future.”

    — Partial Durations

  • Graphic logo with the word 'LIMELIGHT' in large red letters, and 'Music, Arts & Culture' written below in smaller red text.

    “As his syphilitic daughter Chiara lies dying – Jessica O’Donoghue’s voice rich and lamenting over Rowan Phemister’s harp…”

    – Limelight ★★★★

  • Sydney Morning Herald logo black

    “Jessica O’Donoghue, creates a parallel moment of expressive force as his daughter dying of syphilis.”

    — Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★

Biographica (Full Performance)

Jessica O'Donoghue lying on a bed of hay, wearing a light-colored dress, with a somber expression, lit by dramatic lighting against a black background.
Six people dressed in black robes sitting at a dark table with a man standing at the far right, all appearing to be in a theatrical or performance setting.
A performer wearing a vintage-style ensemble, including a white blouse, long skirt, and hat, on stage with a dark background and specks of light projected onto her and the backdrop.
A man with a beard and dark hair, dressed in dark clothing, is raising both hands with his palms open against a dark background.
The image depicts a theatrical stage scene with five actors dressed in historical costumes. Four actors are standing around a stretcher on which a person is lying, appearing to be unconscious or deceased. The scene is dark, with focused lighting on t
Scene from a theatrical play showing a man lying in a bed with a blanket, surrounded by a mirror reflecting four people in black robes with white ruffled collars, one of whom appears to be a priest, in a dark stage setting.