Fiona
McArdle

Australian mezzo-soprano Fiona McArdle returns to State Opera South Australia this season as Mercédès in Carmen, following her acclaimed portrayal of the Minskwoman in Jonathan Dove's Flight. Reviewing the production, The Advertiser described her performance as "outstanding", praising the "intensely personal and moving" quality of her interpretation, while Limelight identified her among the production's standout performances.

McArdle is a regular artist with State Opera South Australia, where her recent roles include Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, Counsel in Trial by Jury and Miss Jessel in Britten's The Turn of the Screw. Earlier appearances with the company include Magdalena in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, La Ciesca in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Second Saleswoman in de Falla's La vida breve. She was also the cover for the Cook in Stravinsky's The Nightingale and Other Fables at the Adelaide Festival.

A graduate of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, McArdle completed a Master of Music (Voice and Opera) at the New England Conservatory in Boston, studying with Jane Eaglen. While in the United States she appeared with Pittsburgh Festival Opera as Mistress Zimmerlein in Strauss's The Silent Woman, performed Flosshilde and First Norn in The Essential Ring with Symphony New Hampshire and Lexington Symphony, and created the role of Xiao Qing in workshop performances of Paola Prestini's Gilgamesh with Beth Morrison Projects. She later made her London debut as Mimì in La Bohème with Hampstead Garden Opera.

Away from the operatic stage, McArdle is an active recitalist and concert soloist. Recent highlights include alto soloist with Adelaide Baroque in Bach and Handel by the Waters of Babylon, appearances with Chamber Music Adelaide, MAGPIE Artsong and Adelaide Hills Chamber Players, and solo performances of Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria.