Nance Grant

Nance Grant’s world has been a rich tapestry of musical and operatic performances, in the company of many great singers, producers, musicians and conductors, renowned both in Australia and internationally. Nance Grant: A life of curtain calls breathes life into this world, taking us behind the curtain and onto the stage to share Nance’s singing and performing triumphs and to honour the many people who made her performing life such a bounteous one.

Recognised as ‘one of the very finest of all Australian singers’ (Brian Castles-Onion AM), Nance enjoyed a singing career that spanned from the early 1950s through to her final concert in 1991. She graced the stage as a principal singer for three Royal Command performances and, for a decade in the 1970s, was a principal singer at Opera Australia. When not performing, Nance continued to immerse herself in the world of singing and music, passing on her wealth of experience to the next generation of new and emerging singers. Lavishly illustrated, this beautiful book is a must for any lover of music and opera.

About the Author

Nance Grant is a retired opera singer, with a career as a soprano spanning across four decades. After winning the Mobile Quest (1957) and the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition (1960), Nance Grant sang throughout Australia in concerts for the ABC. In 1972 she debuted with the Australian Opera, and in 1975 she received the Bayreuth Opera Award.

She has performed many of the major soprano roles including as Ariadne ( Ariadne auf Naxos), Alice Ford (Falstaff) and Elisabetta (Maria Stuarda), amongst many others, and in 1977, she sang the role of Lady Billows in Albert Herring at the Royal Gala given for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Sydney Opera House – her third Royal Command Performance.

Nance received an MBE award in 1976, and an AM award in 2013 – both awards were for her significant service and contributions to the performing arts, particularly opera.

Nance gave her final concert performance in 1991, and has since mentored many upcoming opera singers, passing on her wealth of knowledge and experience.