Anne Boyd’s new opera follows a day in the life of volatile, trailblazing, Aboriginal land rights activist, environmentalist, anthropologist, illustrator and gardener Olive Pink. Ahead of the world premiere in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Janelle White speaks to the Australian composer and other members of the creative team, including producer Claire Kilgariff, who remembers feeling pretty intimidated by the real “Miss Pink” as a child.

Olive Pink
Olive Pink. Photo courtesy of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Why write an opera about Olive Pink? 

“Why not?” responds Anne Boyd. “Her character lends itself to operatic treatment – she was visionary with a volatile and flawed character. Flawed characters are most interesting.”

The Australian composer and Professor Emerita of Music at the University of Sydney explains the fervour behind her latest opera, a day...