Leah Purcell's 'The Drover's Wife' Opera Premieres in Brisbane

Leah Purcell's operatic adaptation of Henry Lawson's story, 'The Drover's Wife – The Opera', premiered at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Glasshouse Theatre after five years in development. The opera reframes the narrative from an Indigenous perspective, turning the character Yadaka from an unsavoury black man into an honourable figure. Composer George Palmer wrote the score, with conductor Tahu Matheson leading the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Nina Korbe stars as Molly Johnson, with Marcus Corowa as Yadaka and Nick Smith as Danny. The production features choreography by Yolande Brown, set design by Isabel Hudson, lighting by Karen Norris, video projections by Craig Wilkinson, and sound design by Michael Waters. Presented by QPAC, Opera Australia, and Oombarra Productions, the opera runs at the Glasshouse Theatre until 22 May, then at the Sydney Opera House from 7 to 15 August.