The Drover’s Wife – The Opera

Schedule

Wed May 13 2026 at 09:00 am to 11:50 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey St and Melbourne St, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4101 | South Brisbane, QL

Advertisement
Directed by Leah Purcell
Libretto by Leah Purcell with George Palmer
Composed by George Palmer
They will say a story ended,
those who cannot understand,
no-one’s story ends forever,
our Dreaming is forever.
Molly Johnson is a survivor. Heavily pregnant, she’s left alone to care for her children in a remote Snowy Mountains shanty.
Between the snakes, bullocks and hostile travellers on her doorstep, she faces no shortage of threats. With her husband away droving sheep, she faces them alone.
But when Yadaka, an Aboriginal man evading colonial authorities, disrupts Molly’s hard-won sanctuary, the pair’s shared history of brutal hardships can no longer be ignored.
The Drover’s Wife is a monumental new opera based on the play, novel and film by one of Australia’s leading artists, Leah Purcell AM. With a ravishing score by George Palmer AM performed live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, this new version reveals the symphonic soul of Purcell’s modern classic in its most expansive telling yet.
Melodies soar with raw emotion. Luscious orchestrations capture the beauty and violence of the Australian High Country. Grand opera traditions meet contemporary First Nations storytelling.
History is set to be made as this epic tale is brought to QPAC’s newest stage, the stunning Glasshouse Theatre – a glorious new performing arts space designed for bold ideas and brilliant entertainment. “Leah’s vision and voice paired with George Palmer’s evocative score promises to deliver a work that is visceral, unflinching and stirringly Australian,” Rachel Healy, QPAC Chief Executive.
Soprano Nina Korbe (West Side Story on Sydney Harbour) leads the cast as the titular Drover’s Wife alongside tenor Marcus Corowa (Bran Nue Dae, The Rabbits for Opera Australia, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical) who will play Yadaka.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey St and Melbourne St, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4101

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

QPAC

Host or Publisher QPAC

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in South Brisbane

Welcome to the VOiiiD - Into the Dirt
Sat, 11 Oct at 09:30 am Welcome to the VOiiiD - Into the Dirt

23 Glenelg St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia

ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCES
Wed, 22 Oct at 08:00 pm Gregory Porter in Brisbane

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCES
Cinematic: The Oscars
Sat, 25 Oct at 03:30 am Cinematic: The Oscars

QPAC Concert Hall

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Cinematic: The Oscars
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:30 am Cinematic: The Oscars

QPAC Concert Hall

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Meg Washington \u2013 The GEM Tour
Sat, 25 Oct at 10:00 am Meg Washington – The GEM Tour

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey St and Melbourne St, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4101

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Bernard Fanning  - Tea & Sympathy 20th Anniversary
Fri, 31 Oct at 10:00 am Bernard Fanning - Tea & Sympathy 20th Anniversary

QPAC Concert Hall

ART MUSIC
Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons [BRISBANE]
Sat, 01 Nov at 09:00 am Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons [BRISBANE]

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Reuben Kaye enGORGEd
Thu, 06 Nov at 09:30 am Reuben Kaye enGORGEd

QPAC

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
KIQ Mashujaa Day Annual Gala Ball and Awards Night
Sat, 08 Nov at 05:00 pm KIQ Mashujaa Day Annual Gala Ball and Awards Night

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

EXHIBITIONS CALENDAR
Cliff Richard - Can't Stop Me Now
Wed, 12 Nov at 09:00 am Cliff Richard - Can't Stop Me Now

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

ENTERTAINMENT CONCERTS
THE SHOTGUN KARAOKE VOL II TOUR
Fri, 14 Nov at 09:00 am THE SHOTGUN KARAOKE VOL II TOUR

QPAC Concert Hall

MUSIC KARAOKE
JAWS in Concert
Sat, 22 Nov at 05:00 am JAWS in Concert

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey St and Melbourne St, South Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Queensland 4101

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Messiah @ QPAC
Tue, 02 Dec at 07:00 pm Messiah @ QPAC

Queensland Performing Arts Centre

CONCERTS PERFORMANCES
The Snowman in Concert
Fri, 19 Dec at 01:30 am The Snowman in Concert

Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

ENTERTAINMENT CONCERTS
Rockpool Publishing at Brisbane, Mind Body Spirit Festival | March 6-8th 2025 | Stand B04
Thu, 05 Mar at 11:00 pm Rockpool Publishing at Brisbane, Mind Body Spirit Festival | March 6-8th 2025 | Stand B04

Brisbane Convention And Exhibition Centre - Brisbane.

HEALTH-WELLNESS FESTIVALS
The Whitlams with Queensland Symphony Orchestra | QPAC, QLD
Fri, 06 Mar at 09:30 am The Whitlams with Queensland Symphony Orchestra | QPAC, QLD

QPAC

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in South Brisbane?

Discover South Brisbane Events