Baritone Quinn Kelsey has appeared in “Madama Butterfly,” “Aida,” “Tosca,” “Rigoletto” and more at The Metropolitan Opera.
This week, you can catch him as Timoteo Ha‘alilio with Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre in the world premiere of “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree” at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. The opera, which was commissioned by HOT, is performed in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English.
For Kelsey, the rehearsals for upcoming performances were his first chance to hear some of the orchestral music.
“This is the deal with the brand new pieces — you don't normally get to hear the orchestration until later on,” Kelsey told Aloha State Daily. “We were already excited about the piece, but to sit down and have all the orchestral music as we're singing — I mean, we are just over the moon.”
“Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree" follows the story of Timoteo Ha‘alilio — played by Kelsey — who sets out on a mission to secure treaties from the United States, Great Britain, Belgium and France, which recognize Hawaiʻi as a sovereign nation. Performances of “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree" take place May 1, 3, and 5 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets start at $40.
“Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree" stars baritone Quinn Kelsey. (Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre)
The orchestra will be led by Lance Inouye, who is a Punahou School graduate and the opera’s principal guest conductor. “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree” was written by Librettist Victoria Nālani Kneubuhl, with music by Composer Herb Mahelona. Kumu Hula Patrick Keʻaniniʻulaookalani Makuakāne, who was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2023, is the opera’s director and choreographer.
“The majority of it is composed in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, in the Hawaiian language,” Kelsey told ASD. “It’s just never been done before. A fully staged opera production with the Hawaiian language in the song text. … We’ve never had an opera anywhere in the world — but especially here in Hawaiʻi — composed for Hawaii's heritage, for Hawaii's people, for a story that relates to part of Hawaiʻi’s history.”
Kelsey got his start in opera more than 30 years ago, in 1991, as part of HOT's chorus. He and his sister joined their parents, Chris and Debbie Kelsey, on stage. In 1993, HOT got funding to start a companywide internship program for high school and college students. He signed up.
“That was the in for me and my sister to sing with mom and dad until we graduated from high school,” Kelsey said.
Singing in operas became something the family did together.
“We were the Hawaiʻi von Trapps,” he said.
As Kelsey considered careers, he tried marine biology, visual arts and finally Hawaiian studies. But ultimately, music called him back.
“I tried some Hawaiian studies and language because I am part Hawaiian, and I feel very strongly about my heritage,” he said. “But in the end, there was kind of no question. Opera was just so natural.”
For audience members who are making “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree” their first opera, Kelsey wants them to know they don’t need to understand another language.
“First of all, we want them to know that no matter what opera it is — except if it's in English — there will always be translated English text above the stage. It's called supertitles," he said. "So, first-time opera goers never have to worry that they're not going to be able to understand what's going on, because the text will always be projected above the stage.”
Kelsey hopes this opera might bring in new fans.
“I feel much pride in the fact that this piece is being showcased period — but also here on the stage, in Hawaiʻi,” Kelsey said. “We don't care where you're from, what your background is, if you know what opera is at all. We just want you to come and enjoy. We want you to sit there and put everything aside and absorb it in whatever way is possible. … And then hopefully, we get them back for one of these general rep shows in the fall.”
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
