On May 14, 2026 at 8:00pm and May 16, 2026 at 2:00pm, Chickasaw American composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate's first opera Loksi' Shaali' (Shell Shaker), comes to Wilmington Concert Opera during the 2026 Opera America Conference. Loksi' Shaali' is the first opera written by an American Indian composer to be sung and premiered entirely in a U.S. tribal language, and features a stellar, primarily Indigenous cast. This groundbreaking work, performed here in the world premiere chamber version, includes Chickasaw translation by Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson) of Tate's original libretto and will feature operatic singers of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Mvskoke, Pueblo of Acoma, Taíno, and Tiwa Nations and heritages. Wilmington Concert Opera, a women- and minority-founded and run company, focuses on accessibility and inclusion.

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Wilmington Concert Opera is set to present the world premiere of a new chamber version of Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s opera “Loksi’ Shaali’” (Shell Shaker) this May.

The performances, set for Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew in Wilmington, Delaware, will feature operatic singers of Cherokee, Choctaw, Mvskoke, Pueblo of Acoma, Taíno, and Tiwa Nations and heritages. The May 14 performance will take place in conjunction with Opera America’s Opera Conference.

“Loksi’ Shaali'” is based on the Chickasaw legend of how the Chickasaw people received turtle shells for stomp dancing and ceremonies. The work is the first opera ever to be sung and premiered entirely in a U.S. tribal language. The Chickasaw libretto was translated by Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson).

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