Are You Lonesome Tonight

Are You Lonesome Tonight is Opera Queensland’s most ambitious regional tour in its 40-year history. Visiting more than 30 communities and travelling some 8,000 kilometres across Queensland in 2021, this show is coming now all the way to Bathurst.

With a cast of young Australian singers including  Gabrielle Diaz, Marcus Corowa  and  Jonathan Hickey,  Are You Lonesome Tonight  features arias and songs by composers such as Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty and Dolly Parton, to name just a few.

Come in your jeans and boots or your tuxedos and ballgowns – this is opera that is diverse, accessible and exciting.

The concept behind Are You Lonesome Tonight is a groundbreaking fusion of two beloved musical worlds: opera and country. By bringing together the rich history of opera and songs inspired by the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the show creates a wonderfully entertaining program that celebrates the storytelling power of both genres.

Featuring an incredible trio of home-grown, world-class performers, the show is a celebration of vocal prowess and versatility. The cast includes Irena Lysiuk and Jonathan Hickey—both graduates of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University—along with Marcus Corowa, an award-winning singer-songwriter with First Nations heritage.

These sensational artists bring their diverse talents to the stage, with Irena and Jonathan showcasing their opera and musical theatre backgrounds, while also playing guitar, percussion, and violin throughout the performance. Marcus, a smooth tenor, also brings his guitar to the mix, elevating the already powerful blend of voices and instruments.

Under the direction of music director Steve Russell, the trio performs an eclectic selection of songs—both expected and unexpected—that will surprise and delight. From Hank Williams’ I Saw The Light to Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Puccini’s La Bohème, and Bizet’s Carmen, the show spans genres and eras. Highlights also include Kate Miller-Heidke’s Where? from The Rabbits and Troy Cassar-Daley’s Take a Walk in My Country.

One of the standout features of Are You Lonesome Tonight is the incredible power of the blended voices. Opera and country share a common thread in their ability to tell deep, emotional stories, and this performance brings that to life in a way that is fresh, exciting, and deeply moving.

Audience members were on their feet, cheering, and singing along to favorites like the mash-up of Verdi’s Brindisi (The Drinking Song) with Slim Dusty’s Duncan, and an opera-inspired rendition of Dolly Parton’s Jolene—proving that opera and country can not only coexist, but thrive together.

“The performance is not just about the music, though. It’s about the connection these voices create with the audience. The crowd is engaged by the mix of jokes and banter, making the show as much about the experience as the music itself. By the end of the night, the audience was on its feet in enthusiastic applause, thoroughly entertained and moved by the seamless blend of opera and country.” – Eagle Farm

Are You Lonesome Tonight is more than just a concert—it’s a journey through sound and storytelling that celebrates both the power and the passion of these two musical genres. Don’t miss your chance to see it live!

Creative Team
Concept PATRICK NOLAN
Director LAURA HANSFORD
Design PENNY CHALLEN
Lighting WESLEY BLUFF
Musical Director STEVE RUSSELL
Music Consultant Opera DANE LAM
Music Consultant Country SARA STORER

Cast
GABRIELLE DIAZ, MARCUS COROWA, JONATHAN HICKEY