Bronhill, June (1929–2005)

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Bronhill, June (1929–2005)

Autralian opera singer. Born June Gough, June 26, 1929, in Broken Hill, NSW, Australia; died Jan 25, 2005; m. Richard Finney; children: daughter.

Opera soprano and musical-comedy performer, adapted stage name from hometown; moved to London, became immediate success at Sadler's Wells in such musicals as Robert and Elizabeth and The Sound of Music (1954), as well as operettas including The Merry Widow; remained regular lead for Sadler's Wells until 1961; starred in Lucia di Lamermoor at Convent Garden, London (1959); returned to Australia (1970s) and sang with Australian Opera and Victorian State Opera; back in London (1981), appeared as Mother Abbess in revival of The Sound of Music; suffered health problems (1980s), surviving breast cancer, but was forced to retire because of acute deafness (1993); recorded some 30 records. Awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE, 1977).

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