Anchorage Opera tells an American story that also played out in Alaska

We may associate opera with languages like French, Italian, German and even Russian. But the story that Anchorage Opera performers will sing and tell this February, “An American Dream,” will be sung in English and references a uniquely American (and Alaska) chapter of history: the internment on U.S. soil of Japanese citizens during World War II.

Many Alaskans are unaware that a temporary camp for Japanese people existed at Fort Richardson during the war. The opera’s story also may echo for Alaska Natives; more than 800 Aleuts were forcibly detained by the U.S. military during this same war.

The story line of “An American Dream” ties the Japanese internment in America to the

plight of Jews in Eastern Europe through the lives of two women. In Jack Perla’s “An American Dream,” possessions can be symbols of home and reminders of the past. According to the opera’s description, “Both families have secrets that bind them to each other, eventually revealed through treasured possessions abandoned and found.” Organizers plan post-performance talk back sessions to explore themes raised in the story, including wartime hysteria, racism and xenophobia.

How does opera, which dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Italy and Germany, stay relevant in modern times? This opera’s story makes that case.

We’ll hear a bit of opera during the show, and spend time speaking with Anchorage Opera leaders and the composer who created “An American Dream.” And we’ll find out how opera became their passion. Join us.

HOST: Kathleen McCoy

GUESTS:

• Reed Smith, general director, Anchorage Opera
• Judy Berry, marketing and development director, Anchorage Opera
  
• Jack Perla, composer, “An American Dream”

LINKS:

• Anchorage Opera website
• Background on “An American Dream,” and composer Jack Perla, AO website
• “An American Dream” character, Eva, finds Setsuko’s doll, 30-sec excerpt, Seattle Opera, You Tube
• Composer Jack Perla’s website
• Japanese community recalls JBER site, Alaska Public Media, 2.22.2016
• “The U.S. forcibly detained Native Alaskans during World War WWII,” Smithsonian website
• “An American Dream” synopsis, North American Works Directory website
• Jack Perla, composer, short bio
• Reed Smith, general director, Anchorage Opera, short bio
• Judy Berry, marketing and development director, Anchorage Opera, short bio