Organization

Australian Contemporary Opera Co

English

Joy Hester

Australia

Joy Hester Brunsdon

Public

Approved

In the 1940s Joy Hester (1920 - 1960) moved in the exalted company of Albert Tucker (her husband), Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, John Perceval, Charles Blackman, writers Max Harris and Barrett Reid, and importantly, the art patrons and philanthropists John and Sunday Reed.

Joy Hester was the only female artist in the infamous 'Angry Penguins'.

Joy Hester's art was highly regarded by these people and others close to her during her lifetime, but it took more than twenty years after her death before her work started to be appreciated by a larger audience. Joy Hester is now considered by many to be one of the greatest female artists that Australia has produced. 

This opera presents a background to the drama of some of the events leading up to her split with her husband, her child, and her departure from Melbourne in April 1947. The libretto was researched through Janine Burke's biography (Joy Hester, Melbourne; Greenhouse Publications, 1983), letters (mainly between Joy and Sunday), personal interviews and accounts, and related sources. Joy Hester faced adversity with incredible courage, and a creative, indomitable life force.

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )