Maianginui taonga pūoro ensemble (clockwise, from top left: Ariana Tikao, Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Khali-Meari Materoa and Ruby Solly) Photo: Maianginui
The world premiere of Ātahu, by Wellington-based Kai Tahu composer Ruby Solly, has been a long time coming after Covid got in the way of the original 2021 concert not once but twice.
Two years on, the piece will get its first performance at the Auckland Arts Festival in early March.
Ātahu references the story of Tinirau and Kae. Ruby says it’s a story that's often seen through a masculine lens, but really it’s about the troupe of wāhine who trick Kae into revealing who he is.
“Women are at the heart of what makes this story work.”
Ātahu, which was commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia and the Auckland Festival, is scored for taonga pūoro and orchestra. The taonga pūoro are played by Maianginui: Ariana Tikao, Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Khali-Meari Materoa and Ruby Solly.
“I’m really proud of what Maianginui have done so far,” Ruby says, ”and I’m really hoping that when we bring in that other part of the orchestra that we can support each other and create something really special.”
Auckland Arts Festival
Requiem
Saturday 11 March, 7.30pm
Auckland Town Hall
