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The Māori production of "Porgy and Bess" is about leave for Australia for a five-month tour. Following their successful New Zealand tour, an arrangement was made with the Elizabethan Trust to tour Australia.
Ulric Williams is the General Manager of the New Zealand Opera Company and he speaks with Leo Fowler about the trans-Tasman tour.
He says this is the first time a professional New Zealand theatrical company of this size has toured Australia. They will also be performing as a Māori chorus at an Asian trade festival at Sydney Showgrounds
Recordings made at the rehearsal of numbers for the Sydney festival:
"He puru taitama e".
Kaikōrero: Fred Turnovsky, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Opera Company wishes the cast well for their tour. He says this is the most important artistic venture which has left New Zealand to date.
Kinaki "E rua nei aku ringa."
Kaikōrero: Dobbs Franks, the American musical director talks about the upcoming Australian tour and changes in the cast. For the most part the Māori company is the same. He compares the traditional black American productions of "Porgy and Bess" with the Māori production. He says they have not tried to 'make Negroes' out of the Māori but it has been a very happy marriage of the two races.
Kinaki "Hoki hoki tonu mai."
Kaikōrero: Mark Mete-Kingi, one of the cast. He talks about the impact being part of such a significant production has had on him. He makes some comments about Māori and opera and mentions up and coming singers, such as Kiri Te Kanawa.
Ella Gerber, the American producer, was welcomed by the cast on her return last week for the Australian tour.
waiata -"Haere Mai" and haka
Kaikōrero: Mr Turnovsky welcomes Miss Gerber, who then speaks, saying being part of this production is the most important thing she has ever done.
Kaikōrero: Ulric Williams welcomes Ella Gerber
Kaikōrero: Tuta Kaimanu speaks on behalf of the chorus and he and Miss Gerber hongi.
Kinaki - "Karu karu."