5 Things to Know About EMPIRE OF WILD

Based on Cherie Dimaline’s bestselling novel, new Canadian opera Empire of Wild unfolds against the landscape of Georgian Bay, where a woman searches for her missing husband while treading a delicate line between their small-town life and the eerie allure of the spirit world. 

Featuring an electric score by composer Ian Cusson, and directed by Yvette Nolan, this thrilling world premiere fuses myth, monsters, and music to reveal the mysteries of the forest and the secrets of the human heart.

Early inspirations

Dimaline says that the idea for Empire of Wild first came to her at a First Nations literary event at which she found herself recounting a story told to her by her grandmother about the Rogarou, a creature from Métis folklore. Later, after reading journalist Joel Barde’s article in The Walrus about American evangelicals working to convert Indigenous Canadians—and pressuring them to give up their land for pipeline development—the two ideas came together to form the novel that would go on to be named Indigo’s Best Book of 2019.

A landmark event

Empire of Wild marks the 100th investment by the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund and is the eighth mainstage opera commissioned by the Canadian Opera Company, developed over nearly a decade of community-rooted work. This intentionality is clearly described by NAC: “One of the key values driving the opera’s creation is the desire to not only represent Indigenous storytelling in a larger-than-life grand opera…but also the prioritization of ensuring that the communities being represented remain involved in every step of the creative process.”

The team

The creative leadership bringing Empire of Wild to life on our stage comprises Dimaline herself—the Governor General’s Award-winning author adapted the libretto from her bestselling novel—as well as Ian Cusson, who was the inaugural artist of the COC’s Composer-in-Residence program from 2019-2021 and whose work explores the Canadian Indigenous experience; and director Yvette Nolan, who has worked on productions across the country driven by a belief (expressed in the Stratford Festival’s 2023 program) that “theatre is one of the few places where we create empathy.”

New opera, new art

In an exciting departure from recent years, our brochure design for 2026/2027 features original artwork by a single artist for both Empire of Wild and the season image. Drawing on inspiration from the opera and beyond, multidisciplinary Métis artist Halie Finney has produced our arresting season image of a loon against a backdrop of sparkling water, as well as the gimlet-eyed Rogarou for the production image for Empire of Wild.

Watch this space

In March 2026, the production marked a significant moment in its development: a workshop score-reading led by NAC Resident Conductor Henry Kennedy, with composer Ian Cusson and full orchestra, as well as COC Artistic Director Roberto Mauro in attendance. Ahead of its world premiere in May 2027, Empire of Wild continues to draw on the impressive talent of its cast, crew, and creative team as it evolves into its thrilling new form.

Empire of Wild appears at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts from May 1 - 21, 2027.

Photo Credits:

• Empire of Wild season graphic, 2026. Photo: Halie Finney.
• Cherie Dimaline, 2023. Photo: Jogn Arano, Wenzdae Brewster. 
• Ian Cusson, 2023. Photo: provided by Ian.
• Yvette Nolan. Photo: provided by Yvette. 
• Halie Finney, 2022. Photo: Provided by Halie. 
• Ian Cusson and Roberto Mauro at the National Art Council score walkthrough