Limelight notes the passing of mezzo-soprano Rosemary Gunn, the Scottish-born singer who joined what was then The Australian Opera in 1972 and went on to enjoy a four-decade career with the company.

Gunn sang many roles, including Amneris, Fricka, Dorabella, Mallika, Iolanthe, Queen of the Fairies, Kate Pinkerton, Giovanna, Tessa, Wellgunde, Bianca (The Rape of Lucretia), Cornelia (Giulio Cesare), The Abbess and La Principessa in Suor Angelica, Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor. There were dozens more.

Gunn retired from performing professionally after a revival season of John Copley’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2008, alongside Emma Matthews and José Carbó. However, she continued to be closely involved with the world of opera and served for several years on the judging panel of the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award.

Gunn was married to bass-baritone Graeme Williams, a long-time chorister with Opera Australia.

“Her devotion to our company and the artform was evident in the regular phone conversations she and I shared over many years — always eager to learn of the development of young singers and the company...