Speech
Wellington Friends of the Opera concert
I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign).
I then specifically greet you: Dame Malvina Major, the Foundation’s founder; David Jackson, Chair of the Foundation’s Board and your fellow trustees; Jillian Wellings, Chair of the Foundation’s Wellington Committee and your committee members; Aidan Lang, General Director of New Zealand Opera; Rosalie Thurston, President of the Wellington Friends of the Opera Committee and your committee members; young emerging artists; supporters; Friends of the Opera; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with particular delight that Susan and I welcome you all to Government House in Wellington to attend this concert in support of the Wellington Committee of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the Wellington Friends of the Opera.
The welcome I have just offered is special for at least three reasons. The first relates to Government House. This house was reopened just four months ago, after having been closed for 30 months for a major conservation and restoration project.
During that time, it was literally pulled apart and put back together, receiving a new roof, new services, and considerable earthquake strengthening along with general refurbishment. I trust that many of you will take an opportunity, at the end of the concert, to look around the House, now restored to its Edwardian and colonial glory and that you will enjoy its art and artefacts.
The second reason relates to the fact that Susan and I very much enjoy opera and we have attended a number of performances in the Governor-General role, with the most recent being Handel’s Xerxes. It is therefore a pleasure for us both to connect with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the Friends of the Opera.
An additional connection exists with you Dame Malvina. In Governor-General capacity, I had the singular honour of investing Dame Malvina as a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in September 2008. We have had encounters in happy times and sad – here, at Whangarei and Waitangi, at Sir Edmund Hillary’s funeral and at the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service.
This brings me to the third and final reason for welcoming you which is the work of the Foundation and Friends of the Opera. Established in 1991, the Dame Malvina Major Foundation provides educational and training opportunities specifically designed to assist and develop the skills of young New Zealanders associated with the performing arts. Its work in supporting those with outstanding ability to prepare for professional careers plays an important role in the advancement of New Zealand’s arts, particularly in opera.
The initiative that the Foundation has taken in identifying those with exceptional talent and supporting them both financially and practically in their training is to be praised. Susan and I, along with everyone here, are looking forward to hearing some of those emerging artists perform this afternoon. Our thanks also extend to Dame Malvina for your heavy involvement in their support and training.
From our insight as Wellington residents, Susan and I know the Friends of the Opera to be a great support to New Zealand Opera and the wider opera community. Bringing people together to share a love of opera, to learn more about the art form and help build New Zealand's opera world is a worthy cause and thanks are due to all who have continued to play a vital supportive role in that regard.
A vital component of the opera community’s success and advancement is, of course, the art of collaboration which is evidenced today by the joining of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the Friends of the Opera. I am reminded of something the renowned American composer and conductor David Amram said about the importance of working together in building and sustaining an art form. He said:
“An art form always benefits when you work with other people… [Because it] sometimes gives you a whole different approach or a different idea… And in music, the idea is to have the music be the star and have the music be as good as possible. Ultimately, it’s the music and the work that survives. We’re just there to be doing it. We’re the carpenters that build the building.”
In conclusion may I offer an additional welcome to Government House Wellington this afternoon. Susan and I trust that you will enjoy the warm hospitality of this House.
And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.