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“Loksi' Shaali'“ is a new opera which tells the story of how the Chickasaw people received turtle shells for stomp dancing and ceremonies. The first opera to be sung and premiered entirely in a US tribal language, Wilmington Concert Opera brings together principals from the world premiere, as well as new local or Indigenous singers to round out the cast. This groundbreaking work is created by composer/librettist Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, with Chickasaw translation by Joshua D. “Lokosh” Hinson. WCO will showcase highlights from the opera, and will feature operatic singers of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Mvskoke, Pueblo of Acoma, Taíno, and Tiwa Nations and heritages. Wilmington Concert Opera, a women and minority founded and run company, focuses on accessibility and inclusion, and is proud to produce the Delaware premiere of music from Loksi' Shaali'.Performances are to be held at Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, 719 N. Shipley St. Wilmington, DE 19801. Performance Dates are May 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM and May 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Both concerts are open to the public. Tickets for the May 14th performance are available to Opera America Conference attendees through Opera America, and all other patrons may donate at the door for admission. Suggested donation is $20 per person.
Katelyn Morton (Cherokee) - Loksi' (Turtle)
Hugo Vera (Tiwa) - Hiloha/Losksi' Sipokni' (Hiloha/Old Turtle)
Kirsten C. Kunkle (Mvskoke) - Ippo'si'/Loksi' Ippo'si (Grandmother/Grandmother Turtle)
Nicole Van Every - Ishki' (Mother)
Mark Billy (Choctaw) - Inki' (Father), Okhina (River)
Dylan Aguayo (Taino) - Shawi' (Racoon)
Sage DiPalma (Cherokee) - Issi' (Deer)
Kevin Patrick - Nanni' (Fish)
Bo Shimmin (Pueblo of Acoma) - Fani' (Squirrel)
Suzannah Waddington - Bakbak (Woodpecker)
Christa Schimitsch - Loksi' (Cover)
Nicklaus Porter - Hiloha/Losksi' Sipokni' (Cover)
Anita Lyons - Ippo'si'/Loksi' Ippo'si (Cover)
Kevin Patrick - Inki', Okhina (Cover)
Suzannah Waddington - Ishki' (Cover)
Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate - Composer
Reese Revak - Pianist
Tianhui Ng - Conductor
Joshua D. “Lokosh” Hinson (Chickasaw) - Translator/ Diction Coach
Margaret Wheeler (Chickasaw) - Costume Designer
Kirsten C. Kunkle (Mvskoke) - Artistic Director, Wilmington Concert Opera
Marisa Robinson - Executive Director, Wilmington Concert Opera
Jennifer Grackin Steinberg - Board President, Wilmington Concert Opera
Photos courtesy of Oh Joy! Photography & Canterbury Voices
This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
719 N Shipley St, Wilmington, DE 19801-1711, United States
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