Speech
Opera in the Garden
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 afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Joan Kennaway and Stewart Bowden, Director and Patron respectively of Opera North; Our hosts this evening, Richard and Joan Kennaway; Your Worship Stan Semenoff, Mayor of Whangarei; Dame Malvina Major, our guest performer today; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting me and my wife Susan to attend the opening of the 12th Opera in the Garden here in Whangarei this afternoon.
I have been asked to officially open this afternoon's concert, but before I do I wish to speak briefly about tonight's concert and the importance of music in our lives.
Like all forms of art, music can inspire a range of emotions. But unlike literature, which speaks both to the heart and the head, music speaks almost entirely to the heart. Music can make us laugh or cry and sometimes angry. Those emotions can run to fever pitch as, for example, at the premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in 1913 during which a riot broke out among the patrons.
Our country is fortunate to have a flourishing cultural and musical 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.
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 takahe, 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 are long past. Not only have groups such as the NBR New Zealand Opera become established parts of our musical landscape, but so too have groups such as Opera North in Northland, which have established a strong and growing presence.
Starting 12 years ago, the group not only performs this wonderful opera in the garden, but also provides support and training for local singers, including occasional scholarships for those heading to university to study music.
This event has now become one of the most anticipated events in the region's musical calendar with any profits going to the local hospice. To all involved, may I add congratulations.
I'm sure everyone would all rather hear music than speeches so, if you'll excuse the phrase, given that it is summertime and the livin' is easy, it is with great pleasure that I declare the 12th Opera in the Garden officially open.
And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.