Jillian Hewson - First Alms Sister

Jillian is a versatile performer who was involved with local opera from a young age. She has had lead roles with Shoestring Opera (The Little Sweep, Albert Herring - Britten), Academy Opera (Julius Caesar, Alcina – Handel, and La Clemenza di Tito – Mozart), and Canterbury Opera (The Magic Flute, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, and A Christmas Carol - Norman), all based in Christchurch over the years. She also performed in The Marriage of Figaro and La Bohème with New Zealand Opera.

She began training as a classical singer with Mary Adams-Taylor and, after studying in London with David Harper in the mid-1980s, returned to perform throughout New Zealand in opera, recitals, and as a soloist with major choral societies. She reached the finals of the Sydney Sun Aria and was awarded a third place in the New Zealand Mobil Song Quest.

Jillian later developed a passion for musical theatre, and lists among her favourite roles, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, the Witch in Into the Woods, the First Lady in The Magic Flute, and Mercedes in Carmen. A personal favourite was appearing in the Court Theatre’s 15th Anniversary production of Sweeney Todd at the James Hay Theatre.

Over the years, she has been involved in a wide range of performances, including TVNZ Showcase, touring NZ with Red Rose Dinner Theatre Company and treading the boards in Cosi with Repertory Theatre.

She is thrilled to be a part of the beginning of a new local opera company.