South Pacific in Alaska

Floatplane?  — Check.
Grizzlies catching fish? — Check.
Calving glaciers? — Check.
Opera? — Huh?

On a list of quintessential Alaskan experiences, most people probably wouldn’t think of opera.  But did you know that Anchorage has an opera, and that opera was performed in Anchorage before the state of Alaska was founded?

That’s right, Anchorage is celebrating 50 years of opera this year, with a series of performances of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, South Pacific. This well-loved musical is making its second appearance in the city: it first came to town in 1951, while it was still being performed on Broadway.

This year’s performance is part of the Anchorage Opera series, and South Pacific runs through Sunday, April 10.

http://www.anchorageopera.org/