Commission to Cathy Milliken

Cathy Milliken’s new work The Raft is conceived as a chamber opera exploring urgent themes of exile, refugees and economic migrants fleeing regions torn apart by conflict, oppression and poverty. The opera follows the journey of a lone survivor on a dangerous boat crossing the sea. The protagonist offers an insight into the complex emotions and experiences of a survivor searching for safety and opportunity in a foreign land while trying to understand his journey. The opera draws from a variety of sources to tell this story. Inspired by Théodore Géricault’s Le Radeau de la Méduse , it aims to depict human suffering and resilience at sea. Contemporary images of boats in distress in the Mediterranean serve as a visual backdrop and emphasise the relevance of the opera. Shakespeare’s The Tempest provides thematic resonance, and Behrouz Boochani’s writings, particularly No Friend but the Mountains, will underpin the depiction of the experience of flight and lend authenticity to the narrative. In addition, the composer’s personal experiences of working with people in conflict zones and with refugees will inform the development of the opera.

The Raft will be an intimate chamber opera, focusing musically on the emotional depth of the characters and depicting the daunting challenges they face while often confronting a world that is unsympathetic to their plight. While the opera is political, it aims to transcend ideology and emphasise the shared humanity of refugees and migrants. It aims to inspire empathy and understanding in a world that is often characterised by indifference. It challenges the audience to confront the harsh reality of those who are forced to leave their homes and encourages compassion and change.

Cathy Milliken’s commission for the Sydney Chamber Opera is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
sydneychamberopera.com

Date

November 30, 2025
Carriageworks, Sydney