Continuing its mission to develop and collaborate on new works, Opera Unbound presents the world premiere of The Fox. An evocative new chamber opera from emerging Vancouver composer Roan Shankaruk’s taking the ANNEX stage April 17-19.
Photo: Jessica Wynn Cole
Photo: Jessica Wynn Cole
Photo: Jessica Wynn Cole
Based on D.H. Lawrence’s 1922 novella, Shankaruk’s opera is an intense, genre-defying examination of the relationships and power dynamics of its characters–two women who run an isolated poultry farm and the charming young soldier who comes to stay.
“As an emerging collaborative company that focuses on works that push the boundaries of our art form and explore opera’s intersections with other mediums, we are thrilled to present Roan Shankaruk’s compelling and unconventional chamber opera as our inaugural full-length opera production,” says Opera Unbound Co-Director Taryn Plater. “Roan has created a modern masterpiece, in which her haunting, cinematic score perfectly serves the story’s dramatic moments and intimately nuanced characters, creating a beautifully chilling effect.”
The Fox is set in WWI Britain at Bailey Farm run by Nellie March and Jill Banford. The partners, in both business and, covertly, in romance, are plagued by a wily fox wreaking havoc on their poultry farm. The arrival of a charming young soldier, Henry Grenfel, offering to assist with the scavenger, sets off a chain of events that threaten to change all of their lives forever. The psychological study of power and sexuality has been adapted into an award-winning 1967 film, as well as theatrical plays, however this is the first time Lawrence’s novella has been adapted into a contemporary opera.
“I was immediately inspired upon reading The Fox,” says Shankaruk. “Despite being published more than a century ago, the novella’s themes of power and subversion are still incredibly relevant and poignant to our modern life today. And with its surreal, dream-like drama and intensely thrilling narrative, I could envision this story coming to life on the operatic stage. Similarly, I was drawn to the story’s representation of diverse sexualities, which is still an uncommon narrative element in opera. I loved the idea of exploring this topic in a fully staged version of The Fox.”
The Fox is Shankaruk’s first full-length chamber opera, composed through the support of the University of Manitoba’s “New Works Project,” while completing her Master’s degree in Music. Initially presented as a concert-style workshop at the height of the global pandemic, Opera Unbound approached Shankaruk to further develop the work into a fully staged production for 2026.
Directed by Christopher Lam this world premiere of The Fox features local performers: mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo and soprano Roan Shankaruk, alternating as Jill, and mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater as Nellie and tenor Adam Schmidt as Henry. Music Director/Conductor Perri Lo leads instrumentalists include Teodora Dimova on violin and Min Jee Yoon on cello.
Opera Unbound presents the world premiere of Roan Shankaruk’s The Fox, April 17-19, 2026 at ANNEX (823 Seymour Street). Visit operaunbound.com to find more information and tickets