Trust Interested In Maori Opera
(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 13. Two representatives of the newly-formed New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust went to Auckland at the week-end to study a light opera which has a Maori theme.
The composer is the Auckland songwriter, guitarist and folk-singer Willow Mackay. The trust representatives from Wellington who visited her are Messrs P. Keiha and D. Selwyn. Both are former members of the cast of “Porgy and Bess” and are members of the board of the trust.
They met others in Auckland interested in the trust’s ambitions, and left today for similar meetings in Hamilton, Taumarunui and Wanganui. In Hamilton they will have discussions with Professor J. E. Ritchie and his associates,
who hope to establish a centre for Maori studies with archives for recordings of Maori music.
Miss Mackay’s opera, which is not yet completed, is based on a story of New Zealand’s early days. It brings Maori chiefs, tohungas, warriors and maidens together with missionaries and sailors. It permits the use of European religious songs and sea shanties as well as traditional Maori music.
After hearing some of the music Mr Selwyn said: “We are immensely interested."
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 21
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196Trust Interested In Maori Opera Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 21
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