First Tlingit Opera Tells Ancient Battles | Anchorage News

0:00It's September 6th. From your city to your ears, this is Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. Yo, check it. There's this groundbreaking opera called Kutu Laga-Aul, the Talingat Russian battles that just opened in Juneau. It's believed to be the very first Talingat opera ever recorded. It dives into the historical clashes between Talingat Clans and the Russian-American company back in 1802 and 1804. This whole production is performed entirely in tealing it by an all-indigenous cast, pulling from oral histories and written records. The story behind this opera is deep. It's a way to reclaim and showcase tealingat culture, which was suppressed for generations. Think about it. Performing arts were literally illegal for Alaska Native people for a long time. This opera is a statement, a way of saying, we're still here and we're pushing our art forward while honoring our ancestors. It's rooted in the Talingat tradition of using music and performance to tell stories,

1:00much like what you might see at events like celebration. The creation process itself was intense. The Lebretis, Vera Starbard, spent months researching and writing, then it was translated into Talingat by Lance Twitchell. The music was composed and arranged by Edward Littlefield and Rory Stitt. They even did reverse translations to make sure the meaning stayed true. This whole thing is a testament to language preservation too. As Talingat is a critically endangered language, for the actors, it's a journey of learning and connection. Madeline Sobelef Levy, who plays a translator character, even has her kids helping her with pronunciation, showing how this is a family and community. Effort. Even if you don't speak Talingat, there will be programs and a storyteller to guide you through the narrative. The focus is on the emotional resonance and the power of the performance itself. This opera isn't just a show, it's a living piece of history and culture being brought back to life. It's a powerful reminder of resilience and the enduring spirit of the Talingat people,

2:01echoing through song and story for generations to come.