If you’ve had the chance to visit the West Australian Opera this season or last, you likely witnessed soprano Jessica Blunt commanding the stage. In 2026, she remains firmly in the spotlight, taking on the starring role of Violetta in La Traviata. WAO is bringing Sarah Giles’ bold adaptation of Verdi’s opera to His Majesty’s Theatre, which sees the character of Violetta from a feminist perspective. I spoke with Jessica about her year, the conclusion of her tenure as a Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist, and what she’s most excited for in 2026, including stepping into the role of Violetta.
What a year 2025 has been for you. What are some of your highlights from this year?
I’ve been fortunate to have such an incredible and fulfilling year as an artist, starting with debuting ‘Adele’ in Die Fledermaus with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and later on debuting (much to my surprise) two roles in Verdi’s Il trovatore with West Australian Opera: the relatively small role of Inez, as well as jumping in to sing leading lady Leonora from the side of the stage with three hours’ notice on closing night. I got to surprise unaware opera goers with Menotti’s The Telephone for West Australian Opera’s season of Secret Opera, as well as have a jolly ol’ time in their season of Pirates of Penzance. I travelled to Austria in January to study with world renowned opera professionals, sang in a medieval castello in Italy in August, and performed the solo in Mahler’s 4th Symphony for Darwin Symphony Orchestra up in the Top End. It’s been a wonderful year of connecting with people around the world through music and I am so grateful.
You’re wrapping up your two-year tenure as a Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist. How has this experience and support shaped you as a performer?
I joined the Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Program after spending a couple of years living and studying in Europe. I was also going through major changes in my voice at the time. The program provided two years of consolidation and development, and gave me the opportunity to experiment with what I had accrued through years of formal study in a professional opera company. It allowed me to take risks and grow as an artist through regular performance opportunities and coaching sessions, and the support and encouragement offered to me by West Australian Opera has made me the artist I am today.
West Australian Opera 2026 La Traviata
What was your first reaction when you were asked to play Violetta in La Traviata?
Several thoughts occurred at the same time, most of which were “Is this real?” Violetta is such an iconic soprano role that I have dreamed of singing for most of my career—being offered to sing it felt like a fever dream and I definitely had to pinch myself a few times throughout the following days. I feel so honoured to sing this role with West Australian Opera.
Tell us about Violetta. She’s at the centre of this piece and has quite the story, from a love affair to tuberculosis.
One of the things that first pulled me into opera was the way the music interacts with the drama, as well as the complexity of the high- stakes storytelling opera can offer. Violetta is grappling with love, duty, and trying to do what’s right, all while struggling with a condition like tuberculosis and wanting to find happiness. As I prepare the role and uncover more about her, I find myself connecting with and understanding her. The realness of her character, her desire to love and be loved, and the genius of Verdi’s music is what makes this story so timeless.
The staging and direction of La Traviata by Sarah Giles looks incredible. What element of this production are you most excited for?
I worked with Sarah Giles on her production of Rusalka in 2024, and admired the way she finds fresh themes and newness in each opera, but also the way she finds new perspectives, especially for female characters. I can’t wait to dive into a character like Violetta with Sarah. I’m also excited to work with my colleagues from West Australian Opera, especially in the chorus scenes. Connection with people on stage is one of the things I love most about performing, so being amongst the huge sound of a Verdi party scene — not to mention all those beautiful costumes — is going to be thrilling.
Jessica Blunt in Il trovatore © West Beach Studio
March is when the show will hit the stage at His Majesty’s. It’s not too far away. How are you starting to prepare for the role?
One of the first steps is translating the role from Italian to English and internalising everything you’re saying so you can have thoughts in real time and make Violetta feel more alive. I have a quirky neurological condition called synaesthesia, and one of the quirks is that each letter of the alphabet has its own colour. I translate each character’s lines using the colours I see for their name, so Violetta is written in green because V is green. I have quite a photographic memory, so onstage I can see the page and the colours in my mind, and it helps with memorisation! When it comes to singing the role, though, so much of preparation is time in your practice room with a pencil and the score, singing through phrases and preparing for your body as well as your voice.
You recently performed in Opera in the Regions. What can you tell us about those special galas?
It’s always a joy to bring opera to people who may not have experienced it before, and to see their reaction after hearing the human voice do vocal acrobatics or create a huge amount of sound is exciting. I always value the storytelling of opera, though, so if we can help people feel moved or escape from their own lives for a couple of hours, I find real joy in that.
What else are you looking forward to in 2026, both in the opera world and outside?
2026 will bring more opportunities for artistic growth as I venture into new repertoire and roles, hanging up the “Young Artist” title and taking on the role of principal soprano. Outside of opera, I have always adored writing fiction, so I hope to pick up my laptop and get back to that. My husband and I have recently bought our first home so I’m looking forward to trying my hand at gardening!
See Jessica Blunt as Violetta in West Australian Opera’s la traviata which runs at His Majesty’s Theatre from March 14 – March 28. Book your tickets at https://www.waopera.asn.au/.