“HIAWATHA.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 September 1925, Page 8

“HIAWATHA.”

CANTATA AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AT OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT.

'One of the most attractive musical events of the year will take place tonight at the Opera House, when the performance of Coleridge-Taylor’s setting of the extracts from Longfellow’s Hiawatha, entitled “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast,” will be given by a choir of nearly 80 voices, assisted by a strong orchestra. The performance is under the auspices of the Male Choir and, judging by the last practices, promises to be a huge success. The tenor solo work will be sung by Mr N. H. Papakakura, of New Plymouth, the most popular tenor who has sung in Hawera. The music is very fine, and suits his temperament especially well. Those who heard his singing at the final rehearsal were immensely struck with his interpretation. He was particularly good in the big solo “Onaway! Awake, Beloved,” an aria which has always been a favourite with audiences. The choral and orchestral work, too, went exceptionally well, and promise a fine performance. The conductor (Mr Clement Howe) has worked very hard with the choir and orchestra, and he is naturally pleased with their showing. The first part of the programme will also be very good, comprising as it does songs by Mrs M. J. Goodson and Mr Papakakura. choral and orchestral numbers, recitation by Miss O. Laidlaw. and items by a male quartette. The whole will form a programme of much more than ordinary interest, and is a programme which no one should fail to hear. Seats should he booked at once at Mrs Cook’s at the Opera House.