Opera as a Weapon: Zitkála-Šá's 'The Sun Dance Opera'

A doctoral dissertation and lecture recital featuring highlight's from Zitkála-Šá's 'The Sun Dance Opera'. Premiered in 1913, the opera is a musical depiction of the sacred Sun Dance ritual that was outlawed at the time by the US government. A writer, musician, feminist, and political activist, Zitkála-Šá wrote the libretto and transcribed the sacred chants, but never received credit for her work. This dissertation will examine her contributions to the opera as well as the context of her life's work.