Ihitai 'Avei'a - Star Navigator
Ihitai 'Avei'a – Star Navigator | |
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by Tim Finn, Tom McLeod | |
Librettist | Célestine Hitiura Vaite |
Language | English, Tahitian |
Premiere | 19 March 2021 Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau |
The opera Ihitai 'Avei'a – Star Navigator was composed by
Origin
The opera was composed by ex-Split Enz and Crowded House musician Tim Finn, who had had a fascination with the sea and astronomy since childhood. Working with composer and orchestrator Tom McLeod, Finn approached Tahitian writer Célestine Hitiura Vaite to collaborate in 2018 after reading her novel Breadfruit; Vaite wrote monologues in Tahitian to accompany Finn's songs. Additional lyrics were written by Gary Henderson. Finn twice visited Raiatea and the sacred marae of Taputapuatea as part of the composition process.[1] The opera is the first to be performed in both English and Tahitian.[2] It was co-commissioned by New Zealand Opera and West Australian Opera.[3]
Plot
The opera tells the story of Tahitian high priest and navigator
Performance
New Zealand Opera opened its 2021 season with the premiere of Ihitai 'Avei'a at the
A second production was scheduled for 28 March 2021 by West Australian Opera at the Perth Concert Hall, with James Clayton singing the role of Cook and Ta'u Pupu'a as Tupaia. The COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of the travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia led to the production being postponed until 13 August, and then cancelled.[5][6]
Performers
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Choir
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Tupaia and Purea
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Tupaia and Teata
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James Cook
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The Orator
References
- ^ Pulu, John (20 March 2021). "Tahitian navigator Tupaia comes to life in new opera". TP+. Tangata Pasifika.
- ^ "Tim Finn Pasifika production to open New Zealand Opera's 2021 season". Stuff. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Martin, Clare (19 March 2021). "Live Review: Ihitai 'Avei'a – Star Navigator, Auckland March 19". NZ Musician. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Ihitai 'Avei'a – Star Navigator". NZ Opera. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Star Navigator | Cancelled". www.perthconcerthall.com.au. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Cusworth, David (27 July 2021). "West Australian Opera cancels Tim Finn opera Star Navigator after NZ travel bubble closes". The West Australian.
External links
- RNZ interview with Amitai Pati and Natasha Wilson which aired on 16 March 2021
- Tahitian navigator Tupaia comes to life in new opera on YouTube, Tangata Pasifika