I’ve been singing in Sister Angelica for the past month or so, and lately I’ve been thinking about one of the opera’s themes – a mother’s love for her child and how it relates with my experiences in the Alaska Native and Native American communities.
My heritage is a mixture of Inupiaq, Irish, Scottish-Irish and English. My mother was born in Nome and raised in Seattle, and my grandmother, who was born in White Mountain, was raised in Kivalina, a tiny community in northwest Alaska. A desire to connect with this part of my heritage is what brought me to Alaska from Toronto, Canada, where I grew up. A singer for most of my life, this fall I found myself singing in the Anchorage Opera’s double-feature production of Suor Angelica/Pagliacci.
Sister Angelica, who is from a royal family, was forced to enter the convent seven years before the opera begins because she had given birth to an illegitimate child, thus staining the reputation of her family’s name. As any mother would, she yearns to hear word of her son, but in the meantime, she dutifully whiles away her time at the convent. All of the other nuns, although they might not know the truth of her deepest desire, know that she sorely misses her family. When word of a noble visitor is announced, all thoughts turn to Angelica, and all nuns, concerned for their fellow sister, disregard their own desires and unite in a wish that the visitor might be for her.
I have experienced this sort of unity of spirit. A few years ago, I was a member of an Inupiaq dance group called Iknaaniktut, which is an Inupiaq word meaning, “It has been lit”, referring to a legend about the Northern Lights. Before beginning our practice, we would hold a talking circle, a ceremony that Alaska Natives have borrowed from Lower 48 Native American cultures. In a talking circle, the designated leader announces the purpose for the gathering, and then participants take turns smudging with sage and then pray while holding a “talking stick” – a stick (or feather) that often is decorated with beads, that, when held, indicates who is speaking. No one is to interrupt the speaker until he or she is done. The stick passes around the circle until it reaches the group leader. We had our talking circle, and then would dance, finishing our gathering with a feast of nigipeak, or traditional Inupiaq foods.
On occasion, we would also do a special talking circle for Iknaaniktut members who were going on trips, as going on a journey always presents possible risks. We would pray for protection for the person traveling. One time, I was traveling to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC to work with some Alaska Native Elders. My dance group held a talking circle for me before I left. As I took off in the plane, I could feel the energy of their prayers surrounding and protecting me. Believe what you will, but I felt stronger having gone through that experience, knowing that my friends were thinking about me and had focused their thoughts on my safety.
Sister Angelica is a short, one-act opera, but like a shooting star, is heart-breakingly beautiful in its brevity. I hope you will join us, and think of what it means to pull together and support one another as you watch the drama unfold.
Opera Apprentices About to Rock in Very Different Way!
October 17, 2009
UAA Opera Ensemble presents An Eclectic Cabaret!
Students and faculty of the UAA Departments of Music and Theater present a program of Broadway favorites. In an up-close and personal style, the performance takes place in the Student Union Den, accompanied by a buffet of sweet and savory dips.
There will also be a silent auction, with all proceeds to benefit the UAA Opera Ensemble’s spring production. Great music, hilarious antics, delicious food and great shopping! Not to be missed.
Location: Student Union Den, UAA (Campus Center, lower level)
Date and Time: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-4pm
Admission: $15 general, $10 students/seniors
Tickets sold at the door. For reservations, call 786-1009
Nun Goes Extreme!
October 10, 2009
Don’t miss one of the most shocking, beautiful, and powerful stories ever about a Lady of the Cloth!
AO’s upcoming presentation of Sister Angelica will leave audiences spellbound!
Tickets Going Fast for Big Wild Opening Night Party!
October 9, 2009
The Event of the Season!
Join the excitement of Opening Night at the Opera! Meet the stars of Pagliacci and Sister Angelica and “clown around” like never before.
Sensational performances, food, drinks, prizes and dancing following the show!
Where: Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
When: Saturday, November 7, 2009. 10:30pm – 12:30am
Click here to learn more and purchase tickets!
Love can be a Party!
Alaskan Diva Delivers the Goods
October 8, 2009
AO Resident Artist, Nancy Caudill, recently presented a stellar vocal recital of classic and contemporary Spanish, English and Italian Art Songs at Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks.
Diva Caudill was joined by Jaunelle Celaire, a leading Alaskan Soprano and Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. James Spontak provided the piano accompaniment.
In the pic above, Diva Caudill is getting Big & Wild backstage before the recital.
Russian Hunk Will Soon Be Singing “Use To Be My Girl.”
September 22, 2009
Ladies, ladies, ladies … ever been done wrong by an unappreciative guy?
Send him packing (or keep the crumb begging for your return!) with the song, “Use To Be My Girl,” made famous by the O’ Jays.
And don’t miss AO’s incomparably beautiful production of the great Russian opera, Eugene Onegin. AO’s Onegin will take your breath away. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more.
Bring your fella too. He’ll get the message!
By the way, the Russian hunk pictured above is the fabulous baritone, Anton Belov. Anton will be singing the title role in AO’s Eugene Onegin.
Rice Crispies and Opera???
September 11, 2009
‘Powerful’ Eugene Onegin Movie Trailer
September 3, 2009
Young Boy Helps Clown
August 31, 2009
Pat Benatar and Big Wild Opera?
August 30, 2009
What’s the connection? OK, Big Wild Opera Fan, here goes …
Lady Benatar’s coolest album was entitled ‘Harden My Heart’. Around the same time, the group Quarterflash released a song with the same name. The chorus of the Quarterflash song is …
I’m gonna harden my heart
I’m gonna swallow my tears
I’m gonna turn and leave you
In AO’s 2nd Big Show of the season, Eugene Onegin, the first Russian opera produced in Alaska, this is what the beautiful character, Tatiana, does after getting the major ‘blow off’ from Eugene Onegin.
The opera ends with Eugene on his knees, filled with regret, begging and crying for Tatiana to love him again.
Sorry Eugene, you gave love a bad name and Tatiana got filled with the spirit of the legendary Lady of Rock, the spirit of Pat Benatar!
