Unlike her peers pursuing pop stardom, 21 year old Grace Bawden has found her calling in opera.
Along the way, she’s also found a hitherto hidden family tree which reveals a rich indigenous heritage – one that may have contributed to her vocal talents.
The coloratura soprano knew of her mother’s Italian and Serbian background, but mystery surrounded her father, who had been adopted as a child.
He recently reconnected with his mother – Grace’s nana – who happens to be prominent Aboriginal elder Shirley Peisley.
Grace is slowly learning about her extended Aboriginal family - including an aunt and uncle, now deceased, who were highly regarded opera singers.
Nana Shirl thinks “somewhere along the line there’s been some passing on of ability and perhaps, even if she didn’t know it at the time, she would have felt there was something driving her ambition to sing”.
The child who once imitated Italian arias on the radio at age six has just made her debut in one of operas most demanding roles, Madame Butterfly.
“I think I found my calling … opera is what I love, I love being a character every night, getting to play this role is just wonderful,” said Grace.
Miss Bawden hopes it will prove to be the wind under her musical wings for a career taking her to opera’s most famous stage, La Scala.
