Hybrid artforms, beautiful music, culture and history will be celebrated as part of the 2015 Opera in the Pa, in acknowledgement and remembrance of war's far-reaching impact on society.
The event is being held at Te Puia's Rotowhio Marae on Saturday, March 21 and will honour the First World War centenary, while well-known opera arias will also be sung in te reo Maori for the first time.
Musical director and University of Auckland fellow Robert Wiremu, who has been involved with Opera in the Pa since the 1990s, said the unique event was about enjoyment, crossing cultural boarders, hybridising artforms and creating beautiful memories.
"Opera in the Pa is a much-loved event in the arts calendar, a prize-winning contributor for the tourist industry and a format to present emerging singers, all in a context which combines two cultural worlds into a beautiful hybrid.
"The event is always about the enjoyment of beautiful music, beautiful voices and a beautiful venue."
This year Opera in the P? introduces singers Elisha Hulton, Stephen Diaz and Benson Wilson for the first time, and welcomes back favourites Deborah Wai Kapohe and Bonnie Allan Moetau.
Mr Wiremu says inspiration for this year's songs sprung from wanting to remember and acknowledge those involved in World War I.
"It's important that this momentous occasion is acknowledged, however it's also easy to forget that people are resilient and they knew how to have a good time despite the austerity, suffering and hardships.
"Music served many roles - to rally support for the war effort and its sacrifices, to distract us from its horrors and to help us to never again forget. The music for Opera in the P? 2015 includes popular rallying songs, love songs and laments - the war song genre is multi-faceted and dynamic."
He says the location of Te Puia's iconic Rotowhio Marae also provides inspiration.
"Maori music has always reflected the popular music of its time. Opera was, at one time, the contemporary music. Maori sopranos, especially those from Te Arawa, were famous and highly revered.
"I've reconstructed some familiar tunes and contrasted them directly with well-known operatic arias and ensembles, just to show how easily they can be paired - that one is not the greater or lesser. Repertoire should continue to grow and evolve, so I have included original works in te reo Maori in a contemporary classical style - songs from WWI, M?ori songs, classical songs - all holding hands if you will."
Opera in the Pa is organised by a Charitable Trust, in conjunction with Te Puia. Tickets cost $25 per seat and are available from Te Puia Admissions or online at www.tepuia.com.
Entry is free for children under 15 years. Gates open from 6pm, with the concert kicking off at 7:30pm.
Opera in the Pa lineup announced
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