WHETHER performing before Queen Mary in Denmark or Chaffey Secondary College students in the school auditorium, world-renowned soprano Siobhan Stagg gives it her all.
More than a decade since her last performance in her home town, Stagg and South African-born pianist Nico de Villiers took to the Mildura Arts Centre stage on Sunday evening for a “really special” one night only performance titled Echoed Voices.
A quarter of a century beforehand, Stagg remembers a “very nervous” young girl waiting in the wings until it was her time to take centre stage.
Now based in the German capital of Berlin, Stagg has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues including The Royal Opera House in London and Musikkens Hus in Denmark where Queen Mary was special guest.
On Monday, Stagg, now 36, was back at her old school haunt at Chaffey Secondary College where she addressed a whole-of-school assembly and gave impromptu performances that left onlookers mesmerised by her stunning talent.
“Wow,” exclaimed one school leader tasked with formal duties after Stagg performed one of her breathtaking songs.
It was a far cry from that nervous 11-year-old who waited for her turn on stage at the Mildura Eisteddfod 25 years ago, just a few short years away from embarking on a singing career that has now earned her a reputation of being one of the most sought-after international performing arts stars.
Yet, Stagg said she doesn’t forget those humble beginnings and, in fact, credits them for creating her own destiny.
“As a young singer it wasn’t always easy to grow up in an isolated oasis like Mildura; but I do think it was a blessing because it taught me resilience and the courage to pursue my aspirations,” she said.
“It’s always important to remember where you came from which is why we try to plan my schedule to get back to Australia every year.
“I can’t always get back to Mildura, but always at least to the capital cities to stay in touch with where I am from.”
Stagg said her return to Mildura Arts Centre after many years had been “very meaningful”.
“It was really special to sing back at Mildura Arts Centre,” she said.
“We figured out it has been about 12 years since my last performance there and it’s where some of my earliest performances took place as a very nervous 11-year-old.
“So, it was quite nostalgic and very meaningful to do a full circle.
“I certainly could not have imagined then where my voice would take me and I still pinch myself every day.”
Stagg said she has grown used to the constant travelling and still enjoys learning about new locations and cultures around the globe.
“My Aussie husband is also a country Victorian so that helps me avoid home sickness,” she said.
“I’ve lived in Germany for almost 11 years and I’m even applying for German citizenship, but I have taken a piece of Australia with me.
“When I was walking along the banks of the Murray yesterday (Sunday), which has changed a lot since I grew up here, I was thinking for a second ‘yeah, I could get used to this, this is so beautiful’, but in all honesty I love what I do and I think it’s a great privilege.
“In a way I am on a mission just to share music with people.
“I want to provide a channel through which people can find meaning in their own lives or hopefully give moments of joy and beauty so if travelling is what it takes to share that message, that’s part of it.”
Stagg said she visited her former schools at Chaffey Secondary and Mildura Senior colleges on Monday to, hopefully, give something back.
“I really came back for the students,” she said.
“If there is even one student here today who doesn’t feel like they are fitting in at school or doesn’t know what to make of their lives; if I can just light a little fire inside them that makes them realise they have a bright future ahead of them and gives them the motivation to apply themselves, then I have not lived in vain.”
Stagg’s parents, who now live in Adelaide, travelled back to Mildura for their daughter’s “home” performance, as did many of her former mentors and singing teachers.
The final instalment of Stagg and de Villiers’ Echoed Voices will be performed at the Ian Hanger Recital Hall at the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane on August 7, before her next international showing at the Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland, from August 10 to 18.
She then has appearances in Singapore, Melbourne, Germany, Canada, Finland and the Netherlands before starting her 2025 performances in Paris.
