Choir Cecilia

Patrons

Choir Cecilia is privileged to have the patronage of two of Australia’s highly esteemed singers.

Elizabeth Campbell appeared regularly as a guest with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, and with all the state opera companies and symphony orchestras. Her opera roles include Azucena (Il Trovatore), Sesto (Julius Caesar) Carmen, Xerxes, Clairon (Capriccio), Frika/Waltraute (Wagner’s Ring Cycle), and Suzuki (Madama Butterfly) for which she won two Green Room Awards. For her performances in the State Opera’s productions of Dead Man Walking and Aida she won Helpmann Awards for the best supporting female performer. In 2004 she repeated her roles in Wagner’s Ring Cycle for the SA State Opera company.

Thomas Edmonds AM established himself as one of Australia’s leading lyric tenors. His early training was with Arnold Matters at the Elder Conservatorium in SA. In 1970 he continued his studies in London. He then divided his time between Europe and Australia moving to and fro many times. He performed some fifty operatic roles, as well as being a leading concert and recording artist. In the 1982 Australia Day Honours he was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his contribution to music in the country. His services were further acknowledged in the 1987 Queen’s Birthday Honours when he was made a member of the Order of Australia. In 1991 he was honoured by his own state of South Australia with an SA Great award.

Thomas recently celebrated his 90th birthday by publishing his autobiography, Ev’ry Valley: a tenor’s journey.

Elizabeth and Thomas are both featured in the Adelaide Festival Centre’s “Walk of Fame”.

They enjoy their married life together in Mount Barker, SA, with some teaching commitments as well as having time to enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, entertaining, and of course supporting Choir Cecilia and attending their concerts.