The Fox at ANNEX

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). This is the first time D.H. Lawrence’s 1922 novella has been adapted into a contemporary opera. An unsettling study of power and psychology, The Fox is an intense, genre-defying examination of the nuanced relationships and power dynamics of its characters. Set in the wake of WWI and the Spanish Influenza, 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. Under the music direction of Perri Lo, the world premiere of The Fox features local performers: tenor Adam Schmidt as Henry, mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo and soprano Roan Shankaruk, alternating as Jill, and mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater as Nellie. For tickets and information, visit: operaunbound.com