The Australian Outback was filled with song, music and performance recently thanks to the return of Opera Queensland’s Festival of Outback Opera.
Presented in association with The University of Queensland, the unforgettable landscapes of Longreach, Winton, Barcaldine, Blackall, Tambo and Windorah took centre stage from 18-27 May in an array of spectacular open-sky concerts, performances, community sing-a-longs and events.
Acclaimed soprano Greta Bradman and tenor Kang Wang headlined the festival, while conductor Dane Lam from UQ’s School of Music brought his inimitable style to the event as Music Director.
It showcased two spectacular open-sky concerts in Longreach and Winton, four performances of The Sopranos as well as performances from UQ Pulse Chamber Orchestra.
Opera Queensland received a $500,000 investment from the Queensland Government to support the event which will strengthen partnerships with local councils, grow audiences and realise positive economic and social outcomes.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Outback Queensland provides a unique soundscape for the festival’s incredible opera performances.
“We know how important this event is to local jobs, tourism operators and the Outback’s visitor economy,” he said.
Opera Queensland CEO & Artistic Director, Patrick Nolan said the festival, now in its second year, was created to deliver exceptional performances in remote regional centres.
“It celebrates the communities that live there and deepens the relationship between art and place and people,” he said.
“After the overwhelmingly positive response to last year’s Festival, we realised the combination of spectacular landscapes and sublime music created a unique experience.”
Talking about the touring production The Sopranos, Mr Nolan observed the relationship between the heroines in the story and the brave and often heroic women who have played such an important role in the Outback over the centuries.
“The Sopranos celebrates the bold and rebellious women of opera, examining their ever-changing roles from its beginning to the present day.
“There is a strong connection between the show and the remarkable women that live there, whose strength and courage have been central to the development of Outback over many, many years,” he said.
More than 1700 people attended the Festival of Outback Opera last year with visitors travelling from as far afield as Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
View the full program to the 2022 Festival of Outback Opera at oq.com.au.
