Opportunity For Maori Singers
“The Press* 9 Special Service
WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. The New Zealand Opera Company’s production of “Porgy and Bess” could be a springboard to greatness for Maori singers, the resident producer, Mr J. Thompson, said.
“I would even go as far as to say that in the chorus we have one or two potential Te Wiatas,” Mr Thompson said. The 30 Maori men and women selected for cilo ™- s roles will assemble in Wellington next Monday. The? are the cream of 300 Maori singers auditioned. Principal singers, both Maori and Negro, will join the company.
after the chorus work is under way.
This will be the first time a large group of Maori singers has had the opportunity to participate in opera of world standard.
Maoris had the basic equipment to do well in all musical spheres, Mr Thompson said. “Unfortunately, as with many Europeans, Maoris tend to play and sing by ear in easy keys. Fine natural voices are therefore not cultivated or produced.
‘1 believe the chorus are going to be in for an exciting time when they discover what even a limited period of voice training can do.”
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19650106.2.120
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30641, 6 January 1965, Page 10
Word Count
194Opportunity For Maori Singers Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30641, 6 January 1965, Page 10
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in