Ahead of the opening of the groundbreaking new First Nations opera at the Sydney Opera House, The Drover’s Wife star Nina Korbe speaks to Sydney Travel Guide about pride, family and why this story belongs to all of us.
The Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House has played host to some of the world’s greatest operas and now it is set to host a new one that is “quintessentially Australian”.
The Drover’s Wife, which opens on Friday, August 7, is an adaptation of acclaimed Australian actress, author and playwright Leah Purcell’s celebrated play, novel, and film of the same name, works which drew inspiration from Henry Lawson’s classic 1892 short story.
It’s a powerful new Australian opera about an isolated and heavily pregnant woman, Molly Johnson, whose life changes when she meets Yadaka, an Aboriginal man fleeing colonial authorities. As their shared histories of violence, loss and survival come to light, the production explores truth, resilience and the enduring impact of colonial Australia through George Palmer’s soaring score and a starring performance from soprano Nina Korbe.
Ahead of the opening, Korbe told Sydney Travel Guide that not only was it a “monumental occasion” for the entire production team, it will be a personal professional highlight to make her debut in the storied Dame Joan Sutherland Theatre.
“We are very aware of being the first First Nations opera being told on that stage. It’s a big moment for many of us and we are all just pleased and proud to be sharing these stories with each other as well as the audiences,” the proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, Wakka Wakka woman said.
“One of the beautiful things about opera is that the music and the stories can transcend languages. But obviously with a work like The Drover’s Wife being so quintessentially Australian – from its sets, to its costumes, to its stories and even the score which does an incredible job of capturing the scale and majesty of the Australian landscape – it is an incredibly powerful piece for Australian audiences to resonate with.”
Given how the character of Molly Johnson has become so intrinsically linked to her creator Purcell, stepping into the role would pose challenges for any performer. And while it came with its own unique set of pressures for Korbe – she is related to Purcell – the young opera star explains how she was given permission to make Molly her own.
“The first thing I did was I spoke to Aunty (Purcell) about it because of the huge amount of pressure as a performer to take that role,” she tells.
“Not only has Aunty performed this role in the stage and then screen adaptation, and then her also being my director, and then add on the cultural implications of being my blood relative, having the conversation very early on was important to me.
“And she was incredibly gracious in offering to me that this was no longer her Molly – it was my turn to create my version. So to have that permission not only from my Aunty but also my director was an incredible licence to play.”
Korbe describes Molly as a challenging character with a lot of jagged edges. “She’s an honour to play but she is exhausting. She definitely takes it out of me – but in the best possible way. “
Asked what she hopes audiences, whether they are opera officianados or newcomers, will take away from the performance, her answer is a perfect reason to book a ticket.
“What I hope audiences feel beyond the baseline of being moved by the story and coming on the journey with us, I hope they feel a sense of pride and ownership,” she enthuses.
“This is a beautiful Australian work. It’s our shared history, it’s our story told in our pinnacle theatre in the country. I hope that there’s a great sense of pride and that they can walk away and say how amazing it is that we’ve created this piece of art here in Australia.”
How to get tickets
The Drover’s Wife is running for a limited season, from Friday, August 7 to Saturday, August 15. Evening performances are on August 7 and 11 at 7.30pm, and matinee shows are on August 9 at 2pm and August 15 at 12.30pm. Tickets start at $89 plus booking fee. You can book your tickets here.
(Main picture credits: main image – Glenn Hunt; inset – David Kelly)
