EBS STAFF
Opera Montana will present the world premiere of a new operatic adaptation of Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It” in September 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the novella’s publication. Produced by Zach Redler, Matt Foss and Kelley Rourke, the opera is based on Maclean’s semi-autobiographical story of family, faith and fly fishing in early 20th-century Montana. Performances will debut at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, with additional shows in Missoula, and will be conducted by Opera Montana Artistic Director Michael Sakir. Montana PBS will film the premiere for a future broadcast.
“Turning a well-known literary–and movie–classic like ‘A River Runs Through It’ into an opera is a challenging undertaking,” said John Maclean, author and son of Norman. “The reward is a fresh perspective from a talented cast and writers who explore themes of love, loss–and fly fishing, of course–to bring the familiar characters to new life. My father would have been delighted to see his story on stage and his words, often only a heartbeat away from poetry, turned to song.”
The opera follows estranged brothers Norman and Paul Maclean as they navigate personal struggles during a series of fishing trips. The story remains faithful to the themes explored in Maclean’s book and Robert Redford’s 1992 film adaptation, but the version offers a new perspective on the classic American work.
The production features a 24-piece instrumental ensemble and seven principal singers, including baritone Schyler Vargas as Norman and tenor Michael Kuhn as Paul. Funded in part by OPERA America’s Opera Fund, the performance represents Opera Montana’s first newly commissioned opera and a major addition to contemporary American opera rooted in the cultural landscape of the West.
