Portland Opera continues the 22/23 season with Thumbprint, an opera inspired by the true story of Mukhtar Mai—a trailblazing Pakistani activist. The libretto, written by Susan Yankowitz, originates from a series of interviews with Mai, paired with a score by Kamala Sankaram that is a dynamic collision of Hindustani and European opera influences. This piece features flute, violin, viola, upright bass, piano, drums, tabla, and dhol. Portland Opera will present 4 performances of Thumbprint, March 18, 22, 24, 26m, 2023 at the Newmark Theatre. Digital access will also be available for a limited time on Portland Opera Onscreen, beginning in April, 2023.
Described by the New York Times as “stirring,” Thumbprint is based on the story of Mukhtar Mai. After surviving sexual violence perpetrated by a local tribal council in retribution for her brother’s alleged crimes, Mukhtar decides to live—and that decision changes the world. Her hope: open a village school for girls to learn to read and write, so that they may avoid the humiliation of signing their names with only a thumbprint. Heartening, and optimistic for the future, this opera is about restorative justice.
In an email to the company, Mukhtar Mai shared how this piece has helped to elevate awareness of her work and of the students in her school. She added, “Thumbprint is always inspiring for me and audiences too.” Mukhtar Mai is still striving for change, justice, and safety. Learn more about The Mukhtar Mai Women’s Organization and her activism at https://mukhtarmai.org/mukhtar-mai/.
“We want to tell human stories that can empower, and lift up women,” shares Portland Opera General Director Sue Dixon. “Thumbprint does this beautifully when Mukhtar Mai chooses to advocate for her life over the tradition of suicide when dishonor comes to her Pakistani family. Her continued fight for justice for all women serves as a beacon of hope for those who find themselves in impossible situations. While this is one person’s story, we were drawn to the parallels across the globe where violence against women is prevalent. Mukhtar Mai’s courage and bravery in reclaiming autonomy over her body, and elevating her voice is inspiring.”
Conductor Maria Badstue, recipient of a prestigious 2019-2021 Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, makes her Portland Opera debut conducting Thumbprint. Omer Ben Seadia, whose recent credits include productions at Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera Company, and Calgary Opera, makes her debut as stage director.
Soprano Samina Aslam makes her company debut in the role of Mukhtar Mai, a role she also sang with the Chautauqua Opera in 2022. Soprano Indira Mahajan, winner of the Kennedy Center’s Marian Anderson Vocal Award, makes her Portland Opera debut as Mukhtar’s Mother, the Minister, and Reporter. Tenor Alok Kumar, whose recent credits include roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Los Angeles Opera, makes his debut as Faiz, and Police Office. Neil Balfour makes his U.S. debut in the roles of Father, Judge, and Mastoi. Also making their Portland Opera debuts, tenor Omar Najmi sings the roles of Shakur, Abdul, Imam, and Mastoi, and soprano Leela Subramanian sings the roles of Annu and Young Girl Numerous musicians join the cast onstage in this production: Margaret Bichteler, violin; Hillary Oseas, viola; David Parmeter, bass; GeorgeAnne Ries, flute; Gordon Rencher, percussion; James West, tabla & dhol; Sequoia, piano & harmonium.
Originally commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and the Here Center for the Prototype Festival, Thumbprint premiered in 2014 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center. Following the world premiere, George Grella of New York Classical Review wrote, “They also could easily have been turned into the worst kind of operatic cliché, or the neatly packaged survivor-of-the-week stories that dominate pop culture narratives. Thumbprint is, instead, a streamlined and powerful music drama, affecting exactly because it is, mostly, a direct and focused narrative that trusts the audience to see, hear and understand exactly what is going on and what it all means.”
You can find additional information about Thumbprint in our latest edition of Toi, Toi Toi Magazine, including articles by the composer and librettist, notes from the conductor and director, and a contextual piece, “Reflections on Thumbprint,” by Subashini Ganesan-Forbes. Read these pieces here.
Feature image: LA Opera’s presentation of Thumbprint. Photo by Lawrence K. Ho.
This article was first published by Portland Opera. It is published here courtesy of Portland Opera. Click here to learn more or read the 22/23 Season Guide.
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