Essential Opera is set to present the world premiere of “In Her Hands: The Tragedy of Lady Macbeth,” a new work by Halifax composer Fiona M. Ryan.

The performance, set for Nov. 6-8, 2026  at the Sanctuary Arts Centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is inspired by the Scottish play and features an original libretto by Ryan.

Headlining the cast is soprano Erin Bardua as Lady Macbeth. She is joined sopranos Julia Jordan (Hecate Sky) and Maureen Batt (Hecate Sea) and mezzo-soprano Emma Yee (Hecate Earth) as the goddess Hecate. The Weird Sisters are played by sopranos Thera Barclay and Chelsi Madonna, with mezzo-soprano Catharin Carew, and soprano Danielle Buonaiuto appearing as Duncan. The onstage cast consists of women and non-binary vocalists.

Emily Jewer directs, and Jodie (Alcorn) Miller serves as music director and conductor.

“In Her Hands focuses on characters who are usually one-dimensional or relegated to the background,” said Ryan, per an official press release. “In Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth gets written out of the story pretty unceremoniously. I wanted to change that.”

“In Her Hands” has been in development since 2020, with workshops at Dalhousie and Mount Allison Universities in 2022 and at the Motyer-Fancy Theatre in New Brunswick in 2024, followed by a residency at the Fredericton Playhouse earlier this year.