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FULL WAITUHI (Ross Harris) The Making Of A Māori Opera Documentary New Zealnd 1985
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Waituhi – The Life of the Village, The Making Of A Māori Opera,
- Composer: Harris Ross
- Libretto: Witi Ihimaera,
- Venue & Opera Company: State Opera House, Wellington, New Zealand
- Recorded: 1985
- Type: Other
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Any new opera is an event. But a Māori Opera – there has never been one before. So when writer Witi Ihimaera teamed up with composer Ross Harris and director Adrian Kiernander to create “Waituhi”, it was a very exciting and challenging collaboration. “Waituhi – The Making Of A Māori Opera” follows “Waituhi” through auditions, rehearsals, set construction, and marae weekends, to the grand opening night at Wellington’s State Opera House. And as the tempo builds, far from rehearsal rooms we discover some of the cast exploring the original village on which “Waituhi” was based. Haunting music, the rhythm and richness of Māori chants and the up tempo beat of today, combine in this rare glimpse behind the scenes into a unique creative experience.
Based on Witi Ihimaera’s novel “Whanau”, Waituhi focuses on life in a small rural Māori community. The opera had a cast of over 55 people, both Māori and Pakeha. It was performed at the State Opera House in Wellington in September, 1984.