Mission Opera's 'Tosca' Features All-Indigenous Leads

The Santa Clarita-based Mission Opera is preparing to conclude its seventh season this June with a highly anticipated production of Giacomo Puccini’s tragic masterpiece, Tosca. In a historic first for the company, the evening’s cast for all three principal roles will be portrayed by acclaimed Indigenous artists, a landmark moment in American opera that celebrates the talent and growing visibility of Native performers in classical music.

The production, presented by Mission Opera in Santa Clarita, California, features a stellar cast: Muscogee Nation citizen Kirsten Kunkle in the demanding title role of Floria Tosca; Tiwa tenor Hugo Vera as the painter Cavaradossi; and Chickasaw baritone Gabriel Manro as the villainous Baron Scarpia.

Kunkle emphasized the profound significance of this collaborative casting, noting that she "truly never thought this would happen in my lifetime." She described the experience of having three Indigenous artists leading a production of Tosca as "exciting, it’s powerful," and something they eagerly want their communities to witness.

For Kunkle, taking on the role of the passionate opera singer is a personal full-circle moment. She first encountered Tosca at the age of thirteen, performing in the adult chorus of a now-defunct Michigan opera company. Describing Tosca as a "bucket list role" that is passionate and complicated, she noted the character’s dramatic arc through "jealousy, rage, heartbreak, everything," making the opportunity to finally bring her to life a dream.

The production marks a reunion for the on-stage lovers, as Kunkle previously performed with Vera in the 2022 world premiere of Loksi’ Shaali’ (“Shell Shaker”), notably the first opera ever sung in the Chickasaw language. Their reunion in Tosca, however, takes a darkly dramatic turn, with Kunkle playfully revealing that their relationship concludes with her "stabbing the villain, played by Gabriel, in Act II." She stressed the genuine "camaraderie" that exists among the three Indigenous leads.

While the opera remains deeply rooted in Puccini’s 19th-century setting, this particular Mission Opera production introduces a distinctly modern twist. The show will employ multimedia staging, featuring an expansive 48-foot LED backdrop, and will be accompanied by a live orchestra. The production is directed by Justine Prado Manro and conducted by Brian Stone, with performances running from June 13th through the 15th at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.

Kunkle hopes the production achieves more than musical excellence; she aims for it to fundamentally shift perceptions of who belongs in the opera world. She acknowledged that opera can often feel intimidating, but stressed that this staging is "for everyone." Kunkle sees the cast as living proof that Indigenous performers "belong in these spaces," demonstrating "what’s possible, not just for our tribes, but for the next generation," encouraging them to perform, direct, or simply enjoy the art form.

Kunkle’s involvement with Mission Opera began after the company invited her to perform in the West Coast premiere of Girondines, an opera she co-created with composer Sarah Van Sciver. She was drawn to the company’s strong focus on community outreach, student mentorship, and producing accessible shows, affirming that their work is "not just about putting on great opera, it’s about building community and giving people a chance to grow." As for the audience's takeaway from Tosca, Kunkle concluded, “I hope they love it. But more than that, I hope they see the power of representation. We’re not just here, we’ve been here. And we’re only getting started.”