JUDI CONNELLI

Judi Connelli AM (born 20 July 1947) is an Australian singer and actress in theatre, opera and television. Connelli is best known for her career in opera and stage musicals. As a singer she has starred in performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and also internationally in New York and the United Kingdom. In 1968 Connelli performed on stage during the Vietnam War to thousands of Australian and American servicemen. The concerts were held in Saigon, Vung Tau, Nui Dat and Phan Rang.

Connelli is also known for her television soap operas such roles most especially The Young Doctors, in which she played regular Annemarie Austin from 1977 to 1978 and Prisoner playing 'Cookie', in episodes originally aired in 1982. Connelli's work includes leading theatre roles with Opera Australia in The Rake's Progress (Mother Goose), The Mikado (Katisha), Fiddler on the Roof (Golda), The Merry Widow (Zozo), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett) and The Gondoliers (Duchess of Plaza-Toro).

Other productions include Into the Woods (The Witch), The Threepenny Opera (Mrs. Peachum), Chicago (Matron Mama Morton), The Pack of Women, Jerry's Girls and Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider). In concert she has appeared in Sunset Boulevard (Norma Desmond), Gypsy (Mamma Rose), Australia's Leading Ladies, Follies, Showstoppers, Candide and The 3 Divas. Connelli has recorded a number of albums on various labels. In 2004, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) by the Queen of Australia for services to theatre and charity.

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