Experience the world of Opera, Hawaiian Music and Hula coming together through world class talent and collaboration! Opera Aloha, now in its 4th annual edition, has been joyfully received across the Hawaiian Islands, and we are thrilled to welcome this special program to Grace Cathedral as part of this year’s tour. This is a rare opportunity to experience a concert sung in an extraordinary range of languages, including Italian, French, English, Māori, Samoan, Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Tagalog, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, offering a truly one of a kind musical journey!
We have the unique honor and opportunity to collaborate with Kumu Hula and Hawaiian cultural leader Patrick Makuakāne and his hālau, Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, who bring a powerful visual and cultural dimension to the performance, reflecting the deep storytelling traditions at the heart of Hawaiian music and hula.
The exceptional cast includes Samoan soprano Aivale Cole, known internationally for both opera and film music; Māori-Chinese bass Morgan Andrew King, currently based at the Frankfurt Opera; San Francisco-based tenor Christopher Oglesby, a regular performer with San Francisco Opera and Opera San José, and the incredible ukulelist Lenny San Jose, co-founder of the renowned band U3. The concert is produced and performed by pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg, whose work across Hawaiʻi over the past several years has helped shape Opera Aloha into a beloved and distinctive series.
The program features classic operatic arias, duets, and trios by composers such as Verdi, Puccini, and Gounod, alongside two signature Opera Aloha sets: Taste of Hawai’i, featuring music and hula inspired by the Hawaiian islands, and The Hawaiian Plate, celebrating Hawaii's multicultural heritage through song.
Opera Aloha offers a refreshing concert experience that celebrates artistry, culture, and the power of the human voice - where opera meets aloha.