The Polish National Opera at Teatr Wielki in Warsaw is hosting the fully staged world premiere of “The Mothers of Kherson,” an opera by Ukrainian composer Maxim Kolomiiets with a libretto by American playwright George Brant. Commissioned by New York’s Metropolitan Opera, the production aims to bring international attention to Russia’s forced abduction of Ukrainian children, which conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson has described as one of history’s most sinister war crimes.
According to Ukraine’s “Children of War” platform, over 20,600 children have been registered as deported or forcibly displaced since the full-scale invasion began, with only a fraction returned. The opera is based on real events and centers on the harrowing journeys of three women from southern Ukraine—Kateryna, Dasha, and grandmother Olha—as they try to rescue children taken to Russian-controlled territory. The storyline also incorporates the experiences of Kateryna’s husband, a Ukrainian soldier whose arc connects to the liberation of Kherson in November 2022.
The production serves as a major milestone for contemporary Ukrainian music, bridging Ukrainian stories with major global cultural institutions. Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb emphasized the institution’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its determination to ensure the world does not forget the ongoing conflict. Following its Warsaw premiere, the opera is scheduled to make its United States debut at the Metropolitan Opera during the 2027–28 season.
