Tulsa Opera, the Canadian Children’s Opera Company (CCOC) and Cantabile Choirs of Kingston announced an international co-commission of “Silverwing,” a children’s opera based on Kenneth Oppel’s novel.

Composer Dean Burry and librettist Deborah Brevoort will create the work. The opera will receive its world premiere with CCOC on a date to be announced in 2028, and Tulsa Opera has scheduled the U.S. premiere for its 2028-29 season. Burry also received a Music Commissioning Grant from the Ontario Arts Council in support of the project.

“Silverwing,” the first book in Oppel’s fantasy series, follows Shade, a young silverwing bat who is separated from his colony and embarks on a dangerous journey home.

“Opera has always been an art form that brings people together, and this project gives us an extraordinary opportunity to do that across borders,” Aaron Beck, Tulsa Opera’s Artistic Director and Director of Tulsa Youth Opera said, per an official press release. “We’re proud to partner with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company and Cantabile Choirs of Kingston on a work that brings together the talents of a Canadian composer and American librettist, one that will ultimately be brought to life by young artists in both of our countries.”