Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife – The Opera has been shortlisted for a 2026 International Opera Award in the World Premiere category, putting the Australian work in contention for one of opera’s major international prizes.

The nomination follows the opera’s world premiere at Brisbane’s Glasshouse Theatre in May and a sell-out Sydney Opera House season in August. It will have its Melbourne premiere in May 2027 as part of Opera Australia’s season.

Marcus Corowa and Shane Lowrencev in Opera Australia’s The Drover’s Wife 2026. Photo © Carlita Sari

The first-time co-commission between Opera Australia and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, in association with Oombarra Productions, brought together Purcell and Australian composer George Palmer for a new operatic adaptation of Henry Lawson’s 1892 short story. Purcell’s previous adaptations took the form of a play, novel and a feature film.

The production combines Palmer’s score with contemporary First Nations storytelling, with choreography by Bidjara woman and former Bangarra dancer Yolande Brown. The creative team includes set designer Isabel Hudson, costume designer Tess Schofield, lighting designer Karen Norris, video designer Craig Wilkinson and sound designer Michael Waters.