A new large-scale opera chronicling the life of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, will receive its world premiere in the English town where the medieval warrior queen commanded forces over 1,100 years ago.

The work,”Aethelflaed | A New Opera” is composed by Andre Fratto and adopted by Tettenhall District Community Trust for a three-year development

The rollout begins Feb. 21, 2026, with a lecture recital and formal project launch in the UK. A semi-staged concert presentation of the complete opera is scheduled for August 2026 before culminating in a fully-staged production in August 2027. A studio recording of the complete work is currently available on streaming platforms.

The work centers on the pivotal Battle of Tettenhall in 910 AD, a decisive Anglo-Saxon victory that helped establish the foundations of a united England. Aethelflaed, daughter of Alfred the Great, governed Mercia and led military campaigns against Viking incursions during a formative period of English history.

“The inspiration came while watching a documentary on Æthelflæd, Fratto told OperaWire. “I had known about her, but some historian on this particular program said something that really sparked the overall concept. He said that without Æthelflæd there may not have been an England or an English language, and it was the language part that really struck me. I thought, my god, no Shakespeare, no Beatles, no Dickens, no Bob Dylan, no Rap, no Blues, etc… at least not in their known forms. So I wanted to write her, and by extension the poets and great writers who came after her, a bit of a nod. Just a bit of a thanks in operatic form.”

Soprano Rachel Kobernick will headline in the title role. Kobernick, who also serves as co-producer, has been involved in the project’s development for several years.

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