The Australian premiere and first performance outside the United States took place in August 2003 at the State Opera of South Australia, with Kirsti Harms as Sister Helen and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Joseph De Rocher. Sister Helen Prejean was in the audience. The production was nominated for seven Helpmann Awards in 2004, winning four: "Best Opera", Best Direction of an Opera", "Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera", and "Best Male in an Operatic Performance". The opera has since been performed numerous times across the United States and in other countries.