Quinn Kelsey, veteran Hawaiian baritone and international opera star, will originate the role of Timoteo Ha‘alilio, in “The Sheltering Tree,” a groundbreaking endeavor in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s history-making Hawaiian opera debuting in the 2025-2026 season.
Kelsey, 48, is a Metropolitan Opera luminary especially noted for his performances in operas by Verdi.
“The Sheltering Tree” will embrace Hawaiian language, chants and hula, in a commissioned opera about Haʻalilio, Royal Secretary and close friend to King Kamehameha III, detailing his mission from 1842-45 to secure international recognition of Hawai‘i as a sovereign nation. Despite immense challenges, Haʻalilio’s efforts brought the Kingdom of Hawai‘i to global attention, and the opera celebrates his lasting legacy.
“The Sheltering Tree” will be staged at the Blaisdell Concert Hall now undergoing renovations. The opera is anticipated to be a significant cultural and historical milestone in the annals of Hawai‘i’s operatic history, and Kelsey in the leading role won’t go unnoticed in the operatic community nationally and internationally.
“The Sheltering Tree” explores universal themes of cultural pride, identity, and sacrifice, set against the colorful backdrop of mid-19th century Hawai‘i. The fact that it combines island language and culture, with the European operatic tradition, makes it a true hybrid of the highest order.
The creative team includes composer Herb Mahelona, librettist Victoria Nālani Kneubuhl, and director and kumu hula Patrick Makuakāne.
The piece, delivering Hawaii-centric mele and hula, narrates the intertwined tales of two significant historic events: the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom following a six-month British takeover and the securing of treaties from America, Great Britain, Belgium, and France, recognizing Hawai‘i as an independent nation.
The production also will explore universal themes of cultural pride, identity, and sacrifice, set against the colorful backdrop of mid-19th century Hawai‘i..
These events, celebrated today as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea and Lā Kūʻokoʻa, are poignantly told through the story of Timoteo Haʻalilio, a diplomat and unsung hero who dedicated his life to his country, alongside King Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli, and missionary and advisor William Richards.
A workshop reading of “The Sheltering Tree” is scheduled in Honolulu in August, featuring a week of rehearsals culminating in a full musical run-through for key HOT staff and the creative team. This critical phase will refine the opera’s dramatic flow and vocal writing, ensuring a powerful final production.
Also, a panel discussion featuring the creative team will be presented to board members and community leaders.
This historic production will illuminate pivotal events from the 1840s in Hawaiian history, bringing to life the vibrant story of Hawai’i’s struggle for independence and how a Hawaiian hero sacrificed everything for his love of king and country…
HOT ’24-‘25: TRIO OF SHOWS
The Hawaii Opera Theatre has announced its 2024-25 season, comprising three productions in two venues.
The schedule:
- “Stuck Elevator,” Oct. 18 and 20, at Blaisdell Arena. Based on a true story, performed in English, Chinese and Spanish, with English supertitles.
Plot: A Chinese food deliveryman, struggling for freedom from debt, human strugglers, loud-mouth co-workers, and the temptations of General Tso, is stuck in a Bronx elevator for 81 hours. A drama on the science escape, amid realities of immigration, labor, familial obligations of an undocumented immigrant and an indentured slave in 21st century America
- “The Riot Grrrl on Mars,” Feb. 21 and 23 2025, at Blaisdell Concert Hall. An English adaptation of ”Italian Girl in Algiers,” performed in English with English supertitles.
Plot: A space opera about a Punk Rocker chick, crash-landing on Mars.
The King of Mars — watching American television broadcasts for some time – is fascinated with all things human and searches for a new Earthling queen and captures Mosquito and the Riot Grrrl attempting to rescue her beloved. An exploration of Martian lore the red planet is part of the journey.
- “Carmen: A Staged Concert,” April 11 and 13 2025, at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Performed in French, with English supertitles.
Plot: Bizet’s smoldering tale of seduction, about Carmen and her suitor Don Jose, features some of opera’s most beloved memories. Carmen, a fiery gypsy, abandons Jose for a charismatic bullfighter, triggering a murderous obsession with Jose.
Presented as a staged concert, with the orchestra on the mainstage, fully visible to the audience and part of the landscape of the piece. Performers will be in full costumes, revived from HOT’s 2017 production, so you can experience the depth of each character, minus a set…
And that’s Show Biz…