Vancouver Opera

FREE! Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Time: 7:30PM Location: Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall (1955 McLean Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7) This is a Voices Free event—part of Vancouver Opera's commitment to opening rehearsals and creative processes to the public. Step inside the creative process and experience a new Canadian opera in the making. Join the Vancouver Bach Choir for a special Voices Free event featuring composer Jeffrey Ryan as he shares insights into Mother/Land, a powerful new opera-oratorio co-created with librettist Michael Lewis MacLennan. Ahead of its world premiere on May 16th at the Vancouver Playhouse, this intimate evening offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a major new work exploring themes of migration, displacement, love, and belonging.

What to Expect

Composer Talk: Jeffrey Ryan will discuss the inspiration behind Mother/Land, the collaboration with Michael Lewis MacLennan, and the musical language of this opera-oratorio that tells the ancient and yet contemporary story of Naomi and Ruth — a mother and daughter-in-law who escape war and famine only to face discrimination as they establish a new life for themselves. Open Rehearsal: Experience live excerpts from Mother/Land as the Vancouver Bach Choir works through selected scenes, including Naomi's opening with the chorus and selections featuring baritone Luka Kawabata as Boaz. Witness the music coming to life in rehearsal — unpolished, intimate, and deeply human.

About Mother/Land

Mother/Land illuminates the story of Naomi and Ruth, two women who find strength in each other when every social structure has failed them. This opera-oratorio brings together Jeffrey Ryan's evocative score with Michael Lewis MacLennan's libretto to explore questions of the "other," community, determination, and what it means to make a home where you're not fully welcome. World Premiere: May 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM Vancouver Playhouse Featuring soprano Heidi Duncan, mezzo-sopranos Krisztina Szabo and Simran Claire, and baritone Luka Kawabata Tickets for the world premiere

About the Creators

Jeffrey Ryan is one of Canada's leading composers, praised for his "strong personal voice" (Globe and Mail) and "masterful command of instrumental colour" (Georgia Straight). His work has been commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, and Tapestry New Opera Works, among others. Ryan was the Vancouver Symphony's Composer-in-Residence (2002-2007) and has been nominated for multiple JUNO Awards. Michael Lewis MacLennan is a two-time Governor General's Award nominee and the only playwright to win the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Award twice. As a screenwriter and producer, he is best known for his work on Queer as Folk and Bomb Girls. His previous opera collaboration with Jeffrey Ryan, The Laurels, premiered in 2002.

More Information

For full details about the Mother/Land world premiere: vancouverbachchoir.com/event/ mother-land