Australian soprano Lorina Gore won the Helpmann award for Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera at the 2018 event on July 15. 

Ms Gore performed as Ophelia in Brett Dean's Hamlet for the Adelaide Festival, and said it was one of the “most spectacular” operas she’d been involved in. 

“The music was absolutely extraordinary and it was the highest and lowest I’ve ever had to sing,” she said. 

“I think that when you’re pushed that’s when you produce your best work so I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to play a lead role in the show.” 

This was Ms Gore’s second Helpmann award and fourth nomination. 

“It’s very exciting and an honour to win two years in a row,” he said. “I’m so privileged to do this for a job, I love what I do, and I never considered doing anything else.” 

Ms Gore has performed lead roles in all two of Brett Dean’s operas, and she said it was a “real pleasure” to work with him again. Neil Armfield also won a Helpmann for Best Direction of an Opera for Hamlet. 

“It’s really special to have worked with Brett on both of his operas, I want him to do another so I can work with him again!” she said. 

The Kangaroo Valley community has shared in the excitement of Ms Gore’s win over the past week. 

“They have been so supportive, the people here are just beautiful, my neighbor even left me a lovely card after I won the award,” she said. 

The Helpmann Awards are the premier celebration of Australia’s live performance industry.

The Awards recognise distinguished achievement and excellence in Australia’s live performance sectors including musicals, contemporary music, comedy, opera and classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentations for children, regional touring and cabaret.

The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA). LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson said the awards highlighted the artistry and excellence in Australia’s dynamic live performance industry.

“Over the past 18 years the Helpmann Awards have received nearly 11,000 entries and announced over 2,750 Nominees which highlights the scale of the live performance industry enjoyed by 18.4 million people each year in Australia,” she said. 

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said this year’s winners were very deserving.

“This year’s winners have made such a positive impact on our artistic and cultural experiences, and I extend my congratulations to all of them for their wonderful contribution to the industry,” he said.