Australian opera singer Jacqueline Dark dies aged 55 – as her cause of death is revealed

Australian opera and comedian Jacqueline Dark has died at the age of 55.

The award-winning singer, who died in hospital in Sydney on Tuesday evening, according to the newspaper ABCwas a beloved theater star known for her generous spirit on and off the stage.

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

Dark appeared on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance and was a guest panelist on the music quiz show Spicks and Specks.

She has performed around the world with many of Australia’s leading orchestras and choirs and in Australia, including Opera Australia, Victorian Opera and Pinchgut Opera.

Throughout her career, Jacqueline has won many awards, including two Green Room Awards and a Helpmann Award.

‘Every time she came to ABC Classic for an interview, we always had a big laugh. And as a performer she was courageous, as happy singing cabaret or with electronic musicians as she was tackling Wagner,” says Russell Torrance, host of ABC Classic Drive.

Jacqueline took a break from performing for much of 2022 while undergoing treatment for cancer, returning to the stage in March 2023.

She was due to appear in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Das Rheingold later this year.

Tributes from the musical theater community also appeared on social media.

“Her irrepressible humour, life, energy and musicality made her one of the greatest Australian mezzos,” says Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera.

Her agent Patrick Togher said: ‘Jacqui’s beautiful voice and magnetic stage presence have cemented her place in Australian music history; her tirelessly cheerful personality will be long remembered.”