| Ihitai 'Avei'a - Star NavigatorSemi-staged Opera
© Tim Finn, Tom McLeod
A seven-year musical collaboration with composer Tim Finn, Tom co-composed this epic work, which also features Tahitian monologues by Celestine Hitura Vaite, and additional lyrics by Gary Henderson, with Tahitian translations by Ena Manuireva.
Commissioned by West Australian Opera, covid enforced interruptions led to the cancellation of no less than two planned performances over 2020 and 2021.
The work was eventually performed by New Zealand Opera in Auckland, 2021 with a phenomenal cast including soloists Amitai Pati ("Tupaia”), Paul Whelan (“James Cook”) Natasha Wilson (“Purea”), with Orator Norah Stevenson-Tuuga performing Vaite’s powerful spoken words, under the direction of John Davies. Conductor Uwe Grodd led the Manukau Symphony Orchestra with Auckland Choral, The Graduate Choir and Tim Finn himself at the piano.
(photo by Grant Triplow)
Composer & Lyricist Tim Finn; Co-composer Tom McLeod
Tahitian monologues by Celestine Hitiura Vaite; Additional Lyrics by Gary Henderson
Tim Finn talks about the journey of Ihitai 'Avei'a - Star Navigator
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