In May, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre will present the world premiere of “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree,” an opera performed in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English. The lead role stars baritone Quinn Kelsey, who started his career as a member of the HOT chorus in 1991.
Now, Kelsey performs internationally. In February, he took the stage in the role of Sharpless in Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at The Metropolitan Opera.
“Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree” will have performances on May 1, 3 and 5 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. Composed by Herb Mahelona, the opera follows the story of Hawaiian emissary Timoteo Ha‘alilio — brought to life by Kelsey — during the reign of Kamehameha III. Ha‘alilio was a lifelong friend of the king, and the opera focuses on his mission to secure treaties from the United States, Great Britain, Belgium and France that recognized Hawaiʻi as a sovereign nation
“This production represents an important step forward in our mission to tell stories that reflect the people and history of Hawai‘i,” said Andrew Morgan, general director and CEO of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, in a statement. “ʻKamalehua’ is not only a powerful artistic achievement, but also an opportunity for our community to connect with a significant chapter of our past in a meaningful and inspiring way.”
Mahelona is a renowned composer, conductor and educator who has composed 11 operas, which are based on Hawaiian themes. Three were written entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
The production also features the Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, which will help bring the story to life. Victoria Nālani Kneubuhl is the librettist while Patrick Keʻaniniʻulaookalani Makuakāne is the director and choreographer, and Lance Inouye is the conductor.
Kneubuhl has written a series of living history plays entitled “Mai Poina,” which means never forget, and highlight pivotal movements and people in the history of Hawaiʻi. She also wrote and co-produced six documentaries that aired on PBS Hawaiʻi as part of the television series “Biography Hawaiʻi.” In 2006, she received the Eliot Cades Award for Literature.
Makuakāne is a kumu hula who founded his San Francisco-based dance company Nā Lei Hulu i ka Wēkiu in 1985. He was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2023. Makuakāne was also recently a judge for “Hawaiʻi to the World,” a televised talent competition launched by Hawaiian Council.
Inouye grew up in Hawaiʻi and is now based in Portland, Oregon, where he is the artistic director and conductor of the Willamette Valley Symphony, the artistic director of The Portland Concert Opera, and the associate professor of music and director of orchestral activities at Lewis & Clark College. He made his debut with HOT as the conductor for "An American Dream" in 2023.
HOT was established in 1961. Its mission is to enrich the “quality of life in our island communities through the inspirational power and joy of opera,” according to its website.
Available tickets start at $65. Get tickets.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
