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Idaho library to host to preview of opera telling Sacajawea's story from Indigenous perspective • Idaho Capital Sun [1]

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Date: 2024-06 

The Wood River Museum of History and Culture will host an event to preview a new, developing opera, called Nu Nah-Hup: Sacajawea’s Story, to tell Sacajawea’s story from an Indigenous perspective.

Rose Ann Abrahamson, Hovia Edwards and Justin Ralls will give a presentation at the event to explore the origins of their production, preview the music and scenes, and examine the importance of language and storytelling, according to a press release from the museum.

The event will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at the John A. and Carole O. Moran Lecture Hall at The Community Library in Ketchum. The presentation will also be livestreamed, and registration is required for the in-person presentation.

Abrahamson and Edwards are members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Abrahamson is a familial descendant of Sacajawea, the press release said.

Sacajawea was the young Shoshone girl who was the only female member, and an instrumental guide, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. She was born in central Idaho, near what is now the town of Leadore.

“Abrahamson is a powerful storyteller, and Edwards is a beautiful musician, and they are creating something incredibly original to tell a story that has been a big part of the history of the American West,” says Jenny Emery Davidson, the executive director of The Community Library, in the press release. “They are giving us a special opportunity to see and hear glimpses of portions of the opera they have performed in San Francisco and Portland, and to hear them discuss the development of it.”

The opera is composed by Edwards and Ralls, and written by Abrahamson, the press release said.

” … Nu Nah-Nup is a historical epic infused with Native American language, oral history, music and culture,” according to the release. “It draws upon verismo, bel canto and American folk traditions. Through the use of the Agai’dika/Lemhi-Shoshone language and Native American Sign Language, the opera is helping to preserve and celebrate endangered languages.”

Rose Ann Abrahamson is a recognized authority of the Agai’dika/Lemhi-Shoshone Cultural History and Language and is a familial descendant of Sacajawea. She has won awards for her teaching and advocacy, and served as a consultant on numerous films, documentaries, and projects with HBO, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and more, including the U.S. Mint design of the Sacajawea Golden Dollar.

Hovia Edwards (pronounced hoo-vee-ya) is of Shoshone-Navajo-Okanogan heritage and is an accomplished flutist, composer, and cultural leader. She has grown up performing and recording all around the world.

Justin Ralls , Ph.D., is an award-winning composer and conductor working in opera, film, concert and multimedia. His work has been presented at the Hydansaal, Austria, Lucca International Youth Orchestra Festival in Albano Terme, Italy, Oregon Bach Festival, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Britt Festival, the Newman Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, and more.

Thus far, Nu Nah-Hup has been performed at the Hinckley Studio Theatre and the Hampton Opera Center in Portland, Oregon, and previewed at the Hillside Club in Berkeley, California, and the Taube Atrium Theater in San Francisco, according to the release.

“Sacajawea’s powerful historical narrative presented through a unique collaborative fusing of indigenous music, culture and opera,” said Rose Ann Abrahamson in the release. “Let us come together and enjoy a musical exposition of the opera Nu Nuh-Hup.”

The program is financially supported by the Idaho Humanities Council’s Gem State Grant.

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