Cara O'Sullivan

Cara O'Sullivan (1962 – 26 January 2021) was an Irish coloratura soprano singer.

On 26 January 2021, it was announced that Cara O'Sullivan had died. Her death was marked by an outpouring of tributes to her talent and her outstanding contribution to music in Ireland and internationally, with The Irish Independent stating that "[Ms O'Sullivan] was famed for her support of charitable events - and her sense of humour."

In 2019, O'Sullivan received the inaugural Cork Culture Award by Lord Mayor of Cork, Mick Finn.

In 2018, O'Sullivan was diagnosed with early-onset dementia which led to her retirement from professional singing. Celebratory concerts were organised in her honour in Cork and Dublin.

O'Sullivan achieved her first major role in 1996 at the age of 34, as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Welsh National Opera. The world renowned Australian soprano Dame Joan Sutherland helped O'Sullivan to prepare for the role. In 1997 and 1998, O'Sullivan starred as the Queen of the Night in the Opera North performances of The Magic Flute. The Daily Telegraph praised her "spirit and diamantine accuracy". She appeared on the 2008 anti-domestic violence charity album Sanctuary.

O'Sullivan grew up in The Lough, Cork. Both of her parents and her grandparents on both sides were singers, though not professionally. She is survived by 3 siblings, including sisters Aoife and Nuala. Nuala represented Cork at the Rose of Tralee in the 1980s. O'Sullivan had one daughter, Christine, an accountant. O'Sullivan lived in Frankfield, Cork. She was nicknamed "Caradiva" by her friends.