Te Ao Marama

Overview

This event wonderfully delivers the much loved story of Ranginui and Papat??nuku through the most classic of all methods – music. The belief that our universe was sung into being by the Gods through rangi (melody) and papa (rhythm) provides the basis for this inspired collaboration between the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and Chamber Music New Zealand.

Be taken on a musical journey like no other. Each of the three floors of this award-winning museum offers you an insight into a different part of the M?ori creation story, which brought our land from darkness to light.

This is Keriata Royal's debut event as events coordinator. In March this year, this young talent was welcomed to Chamber Music New Zealand under the M?ori Arts Internship Programme through Toi M?ori Aotearoa, which aims to develop future M?ori arts administration and establish a pathway for emerging M?ori to embark in the arts. Her enthusiasm is infectious, as she recounts the work that has been done to incorporate classical chamber music instruments with taonga p?oro, traditional M?ori instruments.

Traditionally treated as profoundly sacred, much of the musical traditions related to taonga p?oro has been lost over time but it is steadily being restored and preserved for future generations, by people such as Richard Nunns. To top it off, Keriata adds that the music will feature our own local composers like 'Hineraukautari' by Gillian Whitehead. Composed for taonga p?oro, flute, alto flute and piccolo, this piece possesses an ethereal quality which transported me to the airy wilderness of a mythical forest. For real. Have a listen on Chamber Music New Zealand's site.

This is a 1 hour family friendly event, and there are two performances in the same evening (5.30pm and 7.30pm). Go on, mark this year's Matariki by immersing yourself in the discovery of old and sacred traditions with a bit of a twist.