Performer.

“Engaging and eclectic… raw and righteous vocal power...”

- HappyMag

Deliberately stepping beyond traditional boundaries, Jessica’s work embraces the thrilling, dramatic artistry of the operatic genre, bringing classically trained vocals and dramatic, heart-wrenching intensity to her performances.

Jessica is magnetic, with captivating stage presence and an expansive vocal range that holds the attention of audiences long after the final note has lingered.

Specialising in new music, Jessica has collaborated extensively with leading Australian composers who share her drive to open the artistic world to new perspectives, such as Finsterer, Chance, Muhly, Polias and Stanhope. Jessica has premiered industry-shaping works, including ‘Gilgamesh’ (2024) Sydney Chamber Opera Company in collaboration with Opera Australia, ‘Three Marys’ (2023) at Sydney Opera House (Greenwell), ‘Antarctica’ (2022) at Holland Festival and Sydney Festival (Finsterer).

Jessica champions strong feminine narratives, flourishing in works that depict the reality of the feminine experience and challenge the misrepresentation of women in opera, and art.

Jessica O'Donoghue in a plaid dress holding a black handbag, standing on a shiny black stage, with a large screen behind her showing an abstract, dark image with a hand reaching forward.

“Opera is a powerful art form,
let’s use it for good instead of romancing stereotypes and using lovely music as a soundtrack to violence against women.”

Performances