Sarah Prestwidge is an accomplished First Nations Australian soprano, celebrated for her sparkling coloratura and exciting storytelling on stage. This year, Sarah performed the roles of First Lady and Papagena in The Magic Flute with Charles Court Opera in London and will make her role and company debut as Musetta in La Bohème with Opera Australia as part of the National Tour. Later this year she will be returning to London to perform the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. In 2024, she performed the title role in Parrwang Lifts the Sky and Yvette/Lisette in La Rondine with Victorian Opera and later reprised the role of Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro) in London. Her outstanding achievements were recognised with the Emerging Artist Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards and the Brian Boak Supporting Award from the Empire Theatre. She was also a semifinalist in the German-Australian Opera Grant Competition.
She holds a Bachelor of Music (Education) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she earned numerous awards for her excellence, and a Master of Music (Opera) from the Royal Northern College of Music, supported by a full ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Scholarship. Her work has been further recognised with awards such as the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship from the Australia Council for the Arts, the Tait Memorial Trust Award (White/Loewenthal and Isla Baring awards), and the 2022 Lady Galleghan London Award from The Opera Foundation for Young Australians, which provided her with coaching from staff at the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artist Program and Diva Opera London. Sarah was also part of the National Opera Studio London’s 2023/24 Diverse Voices program.
Sarah has worked with companies such as Opera Holland Park, Woodbridge Opera, Buxton Opera (Young Artist), Charles Court Opera, and Victorian Opera. Her operatic highlights include Jude/Roshanna (Cover) in Itch (Opera Holland Park World Premiere), Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Susanna and Barbarina in Le Nozze Di Figaro, Mrs. Paskova/Chocholka in The Cunning Little Vixen, Controller in Flight, The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Zerbinetta in Ariadne Auf Naxos (Prologue), Arsena in The Gypsy Baron, Purran-Murnin in Buckley(Premiere), and Madam Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor. She also performed Mrs. Anderssen/Nordstrom in A Little Night Music at Buxton Opera, where she was a Young Artist in 2021.
A sought-after soprano soloist, Sarah regularly performs in orchestral concerts, recitals, and high-profile events. She has sung in a number of orchestral works, including Orff’s Carmina Burana as a soprano soloist and Cheetham Fraillon’s Eumeralla. Sarah has also performed for renowned organisations and events, including the High Commission for Australia in London, Holland America Cruises, International Towers Sydney, Merivale Sydney, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Grand Hyatt, The Australian Women’s Club, Vintners’ Hall London, and the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room Recitals. This year, Sarah is honoured to perform the Anthem’s of Australia and England at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in London for the Australian High Commission and members of The Royal Family.
Over the years, Sarah has been mentored by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon at Short Black Opera, where she has worked as a soprano and music educator. From 2018 to 2020, she was also a Young Artist in Pacific Opera, during which time she was awarded a Prue Kennard study grant. In 2018, she performed in the Mediterranean Opera Studio Festival and in 2019 she studied in an intensive program with Bel Canto Opera, Munich, generously sponsored by the Wagner Society NSW. Since moving to the United Kingdom, Sarah has enjoyed working at Buxton Opera as a Young Artist and participating in workshops and mentor schemes with Opera North and British Youth Opera.
In 2023, Sarah stepped in as acting Artistic Director of Short Black Opera in Australia, which included several educational projects and performances, such as her performance of Bundjil Ngalingu with Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, which was broadcast on the Australian National TV network ABC.
In addition to her performing career, Sarah is a passionate educator, a trained classroom music teacher, and an experienced singing instructor.
For an up-to-date CV please download below:
For an up-to-date CV please download below:
“It is a shame that Mozart did not give Sarah Prestwidge in the role of Papagena more to do as she has an attractive voice and a sense of comedy in her encounters with Papageno.”
John Groves – London Theatre Reviews
Sarah Prestwidge was an outstanding addition to our Gala Dinner. She was incredibly professional from start to finish and truly understood what we needed for the evening. Her performance brought glamour, exceptional vocals, thoughtful storytelling, and engaging interaction with our guests.
Kayne Bell – European Regional Manager at CPA Australia (London)
One thing that stood out was her initiative and willingness to stay after her set and mingle with attendees. That personal touch added something special and elevated the overall experience.
As an Australian organisation hosting an event in London, we asked for a bespoke hint of Australian flavour in the performance. Sarah delivered this beautifully without being limited by it, showcasing her versatility and talent.
I would highly recommend Sarah for any function. She delivers exactly what you ask for — and more.
“As Purran-Murnin, Indigenous soprano Sarah Prestwidge rather defeated all in coming to the rescue after Shauntai Batzke’s late withdrawal due to family circumstances. The combination of Prestwidge’s sweet, mellifluous soprano, her music’s gentle warmth and the light, graceful steps she took brought a touching presence to the only Indigenous role. Particularly striking, Prestwidge beautifully tempered Buckley’s brawny resonance for the intimate duet they shared in Act 2 as they sank into each other’s affection.”
Limelight Magazine