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Fumeblind Oracle

Performer

What use is a name when they make you a thing?

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A CONTEMPORARY OPERA BY SYDNEY CHAMBER OPERA’S HUW BELLING & PIERCE WILCOX

INSPIRED BY SAPPHO AND HOMER’S ILIAD, FUMEBLIND ORACLE BREAKS EXPECTATIONS, BUILDING DEPTH FROM THE SHARDS

Jessica O’Donoghue as Zefka

A companion piece to The Diary of One Who Disappeared, Fumeblind Oracle takes aim at the representation of women in art, dismantling the idea of the silent muse and challenging ancient notions of the feminine form in opera.

Zefka’s arias were tailored for Jessica O’Donoghue’s multi-genre expertise and dramatic vocal control, delivering critical praise and award recognition.


SCORE: Hux Belling

DIRECTOR: Alexander Berlage

LIBRETTO: Pierce Wilcox

PHOTO CREDIT: Lisa Tomasetti

View Official Site
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    “O’Donoghue railed and unravelled through emotional extremes. Her performance was a tour de force of dramatic range held together with brilliant vocal precision and control.”

    – Peter McCallum SMH (4.5 stars)

  • LIMELIGHT logo in red text with the words Music, Arts & Culture underneath.

    “O’Donoghue’s powerhouse performance drives it forward with wry humour and relentless fury, the singer deftly juggling vocal virtuosity and searing energy. In the rear-view mirror, Janic’s keening is simply the jumping off point for her own blistering performance.”

    – Angus McPherson, Limelight ★★★★

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    “Jessica O’Donoghue is magnificent as she commands the stage, using extended vocal techniques in a fiery display of female power.”

    – Matthew Westwood, The Australian

Fumeblind Oracle (Full performance)

Jessica O'Donoghue stands on a stage with scattered colorful confetti, wearing an orange dress, under bright stage lights in a dark background.
Jessica O'Donoghue in a red dress stands on a stage covered in confetti, facing the audience with arms outstretched, holding a red rose in her left hand.
Jessica O'Donoghue in an red dress crouches on a dark stage, surrounded by colorful confetti, with three small red-lit sculptures of animals on red pedestals in the background.
Jessica O'Donoghue with curly hair standing on stage, covered in fake blood, in a dramatic pose, with two red-lit objects on pedestals in the background.
Jessica O'Donoghue wearing a red dress is standing on a circular stage covered in colorful confetti, with stage lights shining down on them in a dark theater or performance space.
Jessica O'Donoghue with curly hair and a distressed expression is kneeling among scattered colorful confetti on a red floor.