On September 23rd, 2018, the city of Randwick unveiled a bronze sculpture of renowned English cellist Jacqueline du Pré at Kensington Park. The Music & Opera Singers Trust commissioned the statue, and the artist Drago Marin Cherina created it. Jaqueline du Pré (1945-1987) was one of the world’s greatest cellists of all time; she performed at the most prestigious venues and brought excitement to the world of classical music. Her statue in Australia was one of the first statues in the continent to honor a female musician. Standing in front of the Kingsford Community Centre, the statue has inspired visitors and honored du Pré’s legacy. Jaqueline du Pré became passionate about playing cello when she was four. She studied at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London and continued learning with the best cellists in Europe, including Pablo Casals (Switzerland), Mstislav Rostropovich (Russia), and Paul Tortelier (France). In 1961, at 16, she made her formal cellist début at Wigmore Hall in London, impressing Britain’s music critics. Du Pré recorded and performed worldwide, captivating audiences, receiving international recognition, and becoming one of the most beloved cellists in the world. In 1967, at 22, she married Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and the two became known as the golden couple of the music industry. In 1971, du Pré started losing sensitivity in her fingers, accompanied by fatigue and depression. Two years later, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Her last studio recording was in 1971, and she stopped performing live in 1973. Her passion for music never declined, and she continued to teach music as long as her health permitted it. At the age of 42, she passed away. Read more...