The First Opera in an American Indian Language: Jerod Tate’s Loksi’ Shaali’
By Sarah Mote
In a groundbreaking artistic and historic moment, Oklahoma City’s Canterbury Voices will present the world premiere of Loksi’ Shaali’ (Shell Shaker), the first opera ever composed entirely in an American Indian language.
Created by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, this two-act opera depicts the Chickasaw origin story of the tribe’s sacred turtle shell shakers, used in traditional stomp dancing and social songs. Soprano Katelyn Morton, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, sings the lead role of Loksi’ (Turtle) in this story of a Chickasaw girl who is teased for being too slow to keep up with the other children. After seeking wisdom from the tribe’s trusted River Spirit, she sets out on a long woodland journey from which she returns a cultural hero, enriched by the divine gift of the turtle shell shakers and knowledge of the Chickasaw tribe’s new homelands.
Loksi’ Shaali’ (Shell Shaker), a Chicksaw Opera, will premiere October 27 at 3pm at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City. Presented by Canterbury Voices. Composed by Jerod Tate. It is the first opera in an American Indian language.
“I am thrilled for my people to hear their language sung on the concert stage and I hope they feel proud when the world witnesses our rich legacy, expressed in a dramatic and theatrical performance,” Jerod states in the press release.
The opera continues the story of the Choctaw and Chickasaw migration. Canterbury previously commissioned Tate in 2015 with the oratorio, Misha’ Sipokni’, which made its debut at the Civic Center Music Hall in 2016. Joining Canterbury Voices and Morton, will be nationally recognized opera singers, Kirsten C. Kunkle, Hugo Vera, Mark Billy, Grant Youngblood, and Nicole Van Every, along with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
The world premiere of Loksi’ Shaali’ (Shell Shaker) will take place on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.
Loksi’ Shaali’ is supported in part through M-AAA’s Artistic Innovations grant program. These annual awards grant up to $15,000 for the creation of artworks and creative projects by artists and nonprofit organizations across M-AAA’s region of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Applications for Artistic Innovations open in the winter. Subscribe to M-AAA’s newsletter for updates on this and other grants, fellowships, and professional development opportunities for artists and arts organizations.
Header photography of Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate courtesy of Canterbury Voices.