"The soul should always stand ajar ready to welcome the ecstatic experience" is a quote from poet Emily Dickinson.
And the New Zealand Opera School's Opera and Aroha on the River concert on Thursday night delivered exactly that for music lovers — an ecstatic experience.
A wonderfully warm and balmy night saw the river bank by Taupo Quay fill with an eager audience of 1500 or more for the arrival of the waka from Putiki Marae. With a welcome from kaumatua John Maihi, the 21 students of the Opera school lined the top deck of the Waimarie paddle steamer.
A specially constructed pontoon clipped to the side of river boat ensured more stage space for performers, and the Putiki Wharanui joined with the students to sing the Swedish hymn Whakaaria Mai — How Great Thou Art — which has been translated into many languages, including te reo Maori.
The students then performed Wagner's rousing Sailors Chorus, and within minutes hearts were full and thumping as former school alumni, tenor Amitai Pati — now world famous as part of Sol3 Mio — stood elegant and proud singing the aria Un ura Amorosa from Cosi Fan Tutte. He was sublime.