Aaron Copland wrote The Tender Land to give young American singers material that would be natural for them to sing and perform. The story is based on a pastoral, Mid-western folk tale, which lyrically explores the recurrent human drama of painful passage from adolescence to adulthood. An innocent young girl, yearning for freedom as she strains against the conventional confines of her hometown, falls hopelessly in love with a handsome drifter. As with many of the great operas of the twentieth century, notably Britten's Peter Grimes, The Tender Land deals with the alienation experienced by an outsider in a tight-knit community. This theme may have resonated with the composer because of his recent interrogation before Senator Joseph McCarthy's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding alleged ties to Communist organizations. At the same time, Copland suggests the changing face of rural America in the opera’s conclusion, when the young heroine of the story leaves home rather than submit to the expectations and authority of her family and community. The lyrical scoring is broadly representative of Copland’s signature American style and contains a number of popular excerpts, most notably the Act One Finale—The Promise of Living—based on the Old American Song —Zion’s Walls— an ensemble in which all look forward to incorporating the two drifters, Martin and Top, into the farming life. Just as popular is the dance song during the graduation party of Act Two—Stomp your foot upon the floor—that has become a favorite choral excerpt.

In Copland’s own words, “The Tender Land [is] related to the mood of Appalachian Spring. Both the ballet and the opera take place in rural America. Both make use of folk materials to evoke a particular landscape in a real way.” According to American Music Magazine “The Tender Land is in every respect a major statement by Copland and an essential American opera. It presents a tale resonant with meaning and emotion for everyone who cares deeply about America’s history and culture.”