March 01, 2015
WWI theme for Opera in the Pa
Opera in the Pa is marking the centenary of World War 1 with songs from the era and a special remembrance poppy.
At the end of the event at Te Puia’s Rotowhio Marae in Rotorua on March 21, concert goers will encouraged to place the poppies at the base of a special pou carved by students at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
The music will be directed by Robert Wiremu, and singers include soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe, local mezzo-soprano Elisha Hulton, alto Stephen Diaz and tenor Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua.
For the first time this year the programme will include well-known opera arias will be sung in te reo Maori.
Organising committee chair Trevor Maxwell says it will be great to be back in Te Puia after a three-year break, and it will be an experience unlike anything else.
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