The Drover’s Wife – The Opera will be one of the first performances to open the new QPAC Glasshouse Theatre.
The epic new tale was written by Leah Purcell and is accompanied by a libretto and score crafted by George Palmer.
The Drover’s Wife – The Opera is based on the short story originally written by Henry Lawson and adapted and reimagined by Purcell.
It captures the beauty and violence of the Snowy Mountains, where grand opera traditions meet contemporary First Nations storytelling.
Ms Purcell said she had enjoyed the challenge of bringing the story to life.
“While this opera may not follow traditional expectations, it will offer something uniquely Australian – bold, grounded, and full of heart,” Ms Purcell said.
“I’ve loved looking at how we can use the libretto, First Nations language and the full might of an orchestra to take the storytelling to the next level and distinguish this version from its predecessors.”
Mr Palmer said the opera was a confluence of the First Nations tradition of chant and dance, and the western operatic tradition.
“Those traditions, each true to itself, come together without losing their identities and each complements the other, adding textural and contextual richness to the music and the story,” Mr Palmer said.
QPAC chief executive Rachel Healy said the world premiere of The Drover’s Wife – The Opera was a highlight of the Glasshouse Theatre’s opening program which would be released in the coming weeks.
“The Glasshouse opens as a space for stories that matter,” Ms Healey said.
“The Drover’s Wife – The Opera is a fitting beginning for a theatre built to hold the weight of powerful stories and thrilling performances.”
The 1500-seat Glasshouse Theatre will open to the public in 2026. Tickets for The Drover’s Wife – The Opera will go on sale on Wednesday August 6, for performances from May 13-22, 2026.
For more information click here.
