New opera on the story of Taras Shevchenko's eponymous poem. Premiere 9 March 2026 — Shevchenko's birthday. Music by Shmurak, libretto by Serhiy Zhadan.
The National Opera of Ukraine hosts the world premiere of Oleksii Shmurak's new opera 'Lileia' on 9 March 2026 — Taras Shevchenko's birthday. This is a 2-act opera lasting 2 hours 15 minutes (with 1 intermission) on the story of Shevchenko's 1846 eponymous poem. The libretto was written by Serhiy Zhadan (renowned Ukrainian poet and prose writer). Production music director — Mykola Diadiura. Director — Andriy Zholdak. Opera story arc — the tragic history of the serf girl Lileia, whom her relatives betrayed after she returned from captivity. Shmurak interprets the plot in contemporary modernist compositional language (atonality, microtonal intonation, electronic enhancements in some scenes). Performing cast: Lileia — soprano Anzhelina Shvachka (People's Artist of Ukraine, main mezzo of the National Opera), Her Beloved — tenor Andriy Maslakov, Mother — mezzo Olena Andrieieva, People — National Opera chorus (60 singers). The opera was created from 2022 to 2025 in close collaboration between Shmurak and Zhadan: the composition was written for the specific Ukrainian wartime context (themes of loss, return, acceptance). The premiere has 3 consecutive performances: 9, 11, 13 March 2026. The opera will enter the National Opera permanent repertoire from the 2026-2027 season. Premiere recording (9 March) will be available in formats: DVD/Blu-ray (December 2026 release), digital streaming on Met Opera platform (from 2027 as first Ukrainian representative).
