The first Tlingit opera in recorded history opens in Juneau next month

The first Tlingit opera in recorded history opens in Juneau next month, and its creators are working to make it easy to attend.

"Ḵutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles" premieres Sept. 11 at the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium and runs through Sept. 20. Performed in the Tlingit language with a score grounded in Tlingit musical traditions, it tells the story of the 1802-1804 Tlingit-Russian War from the Tlingit perspective — when the Tlingit and Haida united and were victorious before being forced to retreat from Sitka in 1804.

Sealaska Heritage Institute and Perseverance Theatre are behind the production, which grew out of an effort led by Sealaska Heritage and Tlingit artists, including librettist Vera Starbard.

To widen the audience, the two organizations lined up discounted flights on Alaska Airlines and Alaska Seaplanes for travelers, along with group discounts and pay-what-you-can tickets for some performances. Juneau junior high and high school students get their own free matinee on Sept. 16.