The Metropolitan Opera has announced that the new opera “The Mothers of Kherson” will be presented during the 2027-28 season.

The opera, composed by Maxim Kolomiiets with a libretto by American playwright George Brant, was announced in 2023 and is scheduled for its world premiere in October 2026 at the Polish National Opera.

“The Mothers of Kherson” tells the story of two mothers in the southern city of Kherson who embark on an arduous, 3,000-mile journey to rescue their daughters, who Russians are holding at a camp in Crimea. Erin Morley will play one of the mothers in a production conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson and directed by Barbara Wysocka.

In a statement to The New York Times, Peter Gelb said, “This is one way of fighting back. We don’t want the world to forget what’s going on. This is an artistic way of reminding them.”

This is the latest effort by the Metropolitan Opera to show support for Ukraine. After Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the Met has supported Ukraine and has also worked alongside the Polish National Opera to form the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. It has also invited the First Lady of Ukraine, who held a fundraiser and invited Ukrainian soldiers and the Ukrainian ambassador to a performance of “Tosca” starring Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska.

In the spring of 2023, the Met displayed the Ukrainian flag on the facade of the theater for four weeks. On August 24, 2023, the company observed Ukrainian Independence Day, and in September 202,3 General Manager Peter Gelb received Ukraine’s Order of Merit.

The Met Opera has released a preview of the opera here: