Opera Unbound: The Fox – MPMG Media Relations Campaigns

PRESS RELEASE

Opera Unbound Explores Power and Intimacy in
World Premiere of Explosive New Chamber Opera
– The Fox –

D.H. Lawrence’s gripping novella comes to life for the first time on the operatic stage

VANCOUVER, BC — Opera Unbound presents the world premiere of emerging Vancouver composer Roan Shankaruk’s evocative new chamber opera The Fox, on stage April 17-19, 2026 at ANNEX (823 Seymour Street). Based on D.H. Lawrence’s 1922 novella, Shankaruk’s opera is an intense, genre-defying examination of the nuanced 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.”

Set in WWI Britain, The Fox follows Nellie March and Jill Banford, who are both business and covert romantic partners plagued by a wily fox wreaking havoc on their poultry farm. When a charming young soldier, Henry Grenfel, offers his assistance, he sets off a chain of events that threaten to change all of their lives forever. An unsettling psychological study of power and sexuality, The Fox has been adapted into an award-winning 1967 film, as well as theatrical plays. 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.

The world premiere of The Fox features local performers: tenor Chris Donlevy as Henry, mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo and soprano Roan Shankaruk, alternating as Jill, and mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater as Nellie. Instrumentalists include Teodora Dimova on violin and Min Jee Yoon on cello, under the direction of Music Director/Conductor Perri Lo.

Production and creative team members also include Christopher Lam as Director, Jessica Wynn Cole as Art Director, Christian Ching as Lighting Designer, and Andy Sandberg as Stage Manager.

Shankaruk is a musician, composer, and illustrator. She obtained a Master’s degree in Opera from the University of Manitoba, and Bachelor’s degree in Music at the University of British Columbia, with a double major in Opera Performance and Composition. Her compositions have been performed in Vancouver Opera’s New Works Project, the Sonic Boom Festival, and Vancouver Indie Opera Week. Her first opera, The Woman Who Borrowed Memories, was mounted by Montreal’s 23-Degree Theatre company and at the 2019 Vancouver Fringe Festival. Most recently, she has workshopped several new operas, including Monsters Made with Good Mess Opera Company and Muse 9, and U-29 with Opera Unbound. When not composing, Shankaruk works in the Vancouver film industry, plays vintage jazz, busks on Granville Island, and draws graphic novels.

For tickets and information, visit: operaunbound.com

Opera Unbound (operaunbound.com)
Pushing the boundaries of opera creation. Opera Unbound creates unique artistic experiences grounded in collaboration across genres and mediums. We aim to make opera immediate, welcoming, and relevant. We partner with artists across Greater Vancouver to develop and present new collaborations, from workshops and house concerts to full-scale premieres.

LISTING INFORMATION	Opera Unbound presents *The Fox*
Dates:	April 17 & 18, 2026 at 7:30pm April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm
Tickets Price:	$40
Address:	ANNEX, 823 Seymour Street. Vancouver, BC
Tickets & Info:	operaunbound.com