[Presented by Te Pou Theatre and New Zealand Opera]
It was a pleasure to attend Tōiri, a showcase of Aotearoa’s rising opera stars, hosted by the enigmatic Kawiti Waetford. The night featured renditions of operatic greats, from Verdi and Puccini to Bizet. The twist — all the things was carried out in te reo Māori.
There have been beautiful performances by Te Ohorere Williams, Tomairangi Henare, and Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, all set to carry out in Rigoletto later within the week. It was an actual deal with to listen to their voices on this context earlier than the complete NZO manufacturing.
One of the night’s most memorable moments was Tomairangi Henare’s efficiency of the Toreador Song (Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre) from Bizet’s Carmen. Sung in te reo Māori, Henare elevated the quantity by weaving in components of haka, including a singular Māori interpretation to Escamillo’s cheeky grandeur.
Alongside the operatic repertoire, the inclusion of up to date items from Les Misérables, similar to Bring Him Home (Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono) and Stars (Tomairangi Henare), supplied acquainted territory for musical theatre followers, all whereas inviting the viewers to pay attention within the sounds and rhythms of Te Reo Māori.
There was additionally a particular efficiency by Majic Pāora and to shut out, Kawiti Waetford’s rendition of Ka Mate Ka Mate. Both have been beautiful additions to the evening’s line up.
What made Tōiri really modern was the interpretation of French and Italian operatic works into te reo Māori. While we frequently see French translated to English, or English to te reo, it’s uncommon to see the transition from French to te reo Māori. This efficiency expanded the world of translations, highlighting the wonder and complexity of such work.
For many opera-goers, myself included, translations or subtitles are the one solution to perceive foreign-language operas. But, because the night progressed, I realised I understood extra kupu Māori than French or Italian, which is a testomony to the rising presence and accessibility of te reo Māori in our each day lives.
I left the efficiency feeling deeply moved, entranced from begin to end. I hope that there’s extra to come back for opera in te reo Māori, and I’d like to see a full translation hosted on the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre sooner or later. Tōiri confirmed the one restrict to methods te reo Māori might be skilled is your creativeness and I problem the NZO to tackle this journey.
Tōiri performed Te Pou Theatre on the sixteenth of September 2024
