South Australians are being encouraged to shape the future stories for State Opera South Australia, as part of a world-first initiative to transform real stories from everyday South Australians into four original, professionally staged operas for the 2027 season.
The Our Opera, Our Story, project represents a fundamental shift in how opera is made. Where companies generally choose what stories are told and whose voices are heard, Our Opera, Our Story flips that entirely so South Australians and their stories will come first.
Stories can be submitted in written, audio or video form, across any category such as sport, food and wine, migration, community, politics, and First Nations stories. No arts background is required, just a great yarn that needs to be shared.
Submissions close 19 June 2026 and shortlisted stories will go to a public vote from 24 June to 1 July, with four selected to be developed into 20-minute micro-operas by leading Australian composer-librettist teams, performed alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2027 season at Elder Hall.
Those selected will receive full creative credit, VIP opening night access, behind-the-scenes access throughout the creative journey and invitations to the 2026 season.
Submissions already received include stories of the 2020 bushfires through the eyes of someone who lived it; an Adelaide Crows supporter recalling the back-to-back 1997-98 premierships and what it meant to the whole state; an Italian family whose post-WW2 migration story of hardship and resilience is now woven into the contemporary fabric of South Australia.
South Australians can submit their stories via the State Opera website.
As put by Kyam Maher
This is a genuinely bold approach to creating new art, one that places South Australians at the heart of the creative process. It reinforces this state's position as a national leader in the arts while backing our community, our storytellers and our artists to shape the opera of the future.
I look forward to seeing South Australian stories come to life and take to the stage as part of the 2027 season.
As put by State Opera Artistic Director Dane Lam
Opera has always been built on the stories that matter most like; love, loss, betrayal, revenge, resilience and humour. These human universals are the reasons why operas from hundreds of years ago still capture people's imaginations today. But we equally believe that opera is the supreme vehicle for storytelling in all its guises, and it must also reflect today's world, and the people living in it, as we look to the future.
Our Opera, Our Story gives South Australians a direct hand in shaping new work at the highest professional level. We want their stories that matter, or how a moment in time shaped our state forever. Your story could be immortalised forever. I hope you embrace this opportunity and share your story today.
