WITH A talent as breathtaking as her beauty, the Ballarat-born operatic soprano Marie Collier was every bit a resplendent star.
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While opera aficionados speak of her in the same breath as the likes of Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland, Collier’s life was tragically cut short – and with it her fame.
But now one of her protégés, Lesley Skilney, and Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat have teamed up to bring back the memory of the accomplished soprano who sang at venues including Covent Garden in London, the Met in New York, and performed alongside the likes of Tito Gobbi.
Mrs Skilney had for years wanted to do something to commemorate her mentor, getting in touch with Graeme Russell at Her Majesty’s Theatre, who was enthusiastic to take on the project.
Her husband found a photo of her from Tosca, her best-known role.
Samantha McIntosh, Chair of Her Majesty’s Theatre Board, said she was thrilled with the memorial and that it “was time” to celebrate artists from Ballarat.
