Opera Australia mourns loss of Taryn Fiebig and Robert Gard

Two of the greatest opera singers Australia has ever produced both died on Saturday - soprano Taryn Fiebig and tenor Robert Gard.

Opera Australia is mourning the loss of two of its greats — soprano Taryn Fiebig and tenor Robert Gard.

Fiebig died on Saturday night aged 49, following her 2017 diagnosis with ovarian cancer while she was in Vienna.

Fiebig returned to Australia for treatment. Scarcely six months later Fiebig appeared on stage in concert with her opera bass husband Jud Arthur, the towering former New Zealand Rugby star.

The couple married in 2015, posing up for The Daily Telegraph with a horse because Arthur is a farrier in his spare time.

Taryn Fiebig has died of ovarian cancer agaed 49.

“My darling Tazzie passed peacefully tonight,” Arthur wrote on social media.

“This world has lost a glorious human. I am so grateful to have shared in her life. I will miss her terribly. She was my everything.”

Opera Australia, where Fiebig and Arthur were both principals, expressed its sadness.

“Taryn was an extremely talented artist and a wonderful human being,” artistic director Lyndon Terracini said.

“I saw her last week and was deeply moved by her grace and generosity as she faced her final curtain call.

“We all loved Taryn and we admired her strength and joy for life.

“Arrivederci Taryn. We will miss you terribly and we will never forget the impact and influence you had on all our lives. I send my deepest condolences to Jud and family.”

Taryn Fiebig with husband Jud Arthur.

Taryn Fiebig, pictured with her dog Malcolm, was one of Australia’s most well-regarded opera singers. Picture; Craig Wilson

Fiebig was one of Australia’s most prolific and popular operatic and concert artists, her manager Patrick Togher said.

“Taryn touched the lives of literally thousands of colleagues and admirers,” he said.

Most recently, Fiebig sang Musetta (La Bohème) and Despina (Cosi fan tutte) for Opera Australia; Michal (Saul) for the Adelaide Festival; Gerhilde (Die Walküre) in Singapore; Selinda (Farnace) for Pinchgut Opera and the title role in The Merry Widow for West Australian Opera.

“A musical theatre highlight for Taryn was over 200 performances as Eliza Dolittle in Opera Australia’s national tour of My Fair Lady,” Togher said.

In 2015 Fiebig sang at Buckingham Palace, where Prince Charles was in the audience.

Veteran opera singer Robert Gard died on the weekend.

Robert Gard, who was born in 1927, also passed away on Saturday night.

Gard was one of Opera Australia’s “most treasured tenors”, conductor Brian Castles-Onion said.

Born in Cornwall, Gard was invited to join Opera Australia in 1963.

“Those of us who knew and worked with Bob remember his charm, friendship and infectious humour,” Castles-Onion said.

“At times, it was difficult not to be distracted by his sense of fun in the rehearsal room – let alone on stage. Audiences adored him. He radiated charm with the strength of a lighthouse beacon. He lit up a room on entry and it remained shining during his stay.

“His career covered almost everything from opera, operetta, musicals, television, film and lasted almost six decades.”