Speech
Friends of the NZ Opera Just Wyn Cabaret
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Wyn Davies, NBR New Zealand Opera Director of Music; you Lorraine Olphert, President of Friends of the Opera; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you all to Government House this evening for this Wellington Friends of the Opera event, Just Wyn. My role is that of welcome and brief remarks - as to the latter of which the following.
Our country is fortunate to have in 2007 a flourishing arts and cultural scene. New Zealand performers and troupes have performed to acclaim both nationally and internationally, on the stage, in film, in opera, in ballet, in musical performance and kapa haka. In literature, poetry, art and sculpture, New Zealanders have also performed creditably. The success of Lloyd Jones, whose fascinating novel, Mr Pip, was recently short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, is one example of many that spring to mind.
That has not always been the case, however, and artistic endeavour took sometime to lay down roots, let alone be accepted. Walter Mantell, a 19th century amateur naturalist best known for discovering the takah, found out how little the arts were appreciated in the 1850s when he asked a Dunedin merchant for the price of second-hand copy of the works of the Roman poet Horace. The reply as quoted in the Thomas Hocken's Early History of New Zealand was:-
"'[Opera Horatii]'; oh, you can have it at your own price, there's no demand for music here."
Thankfully those days have passed and many forms of artistic expression have gained a wide following. One of those success stories is the NBR New Zealand Opera, which has established a reputation for artistic achievement, promotion of talent and imaginative efforts to expand the opera audience.
It has for example established connections with other organisations, including the International Festival of the Arts and the NZ Symphony Orchestra. It also fosters new talent through initiatives such as its Educational Outreach Programme and its Internships for emerging artists.
All this is to be commended. However, unlike a movie that, once filmed, can be repeatedly played with little additional cost, opera, especially if performed with an orchestra, is a far more costly affair. The Opera therefore appreciates the support of the willing band of volunteers in the Friends of the Opera for organising various fundraising events, such as this. I would like to take the opportunity to add thanks to the Friends organisation for its ongoing support of the Opera.
Our performer this evening, Welsh-born Wyn Davies, is better known for his main role in conducting opera and as Director of Music for the NBR NZ Opera, not only in New Zealand but elsewhere.
But like many talented individuals, he has several strings to his bow, like a successful career in cabaret. That career began in 1985 in New York and has seen him perform at the Royal Albert Hall and in festivals from Buxton to Edinburgh and at the Theatre Museum at Covent Garden.
Tonight we have been promised a range of songs, including classics from Noel Coward and Cole Porter.
Given this venue is Government House and I am a Governor-General, it seems appropriate to make reference to a song that Noel Coward wrote for the now forgotten musical written in 1946 called, Pacific 1860. The musical, which some say is better forgotten, includes a song called His Excellency Regrets, where the occupant of a mythical Government House found all sorts of dubious excuses to decline invitations. Lyrics like:
His Excellency regrets
That owing to an attack of gout
He really dare not venture out
On Saturday to dine.
His Excellency regrets
That, failing a better alibi,
He must admit he'd rather die
Than open your Bazaar.
Well, I can register assurance you that neither This Excellency or These Excellencies had no regrets in accepting the offer to be the hosts this evening!
On that note I will close in Maori by issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.