Anapela Polataivao Photo: Provided
Samoan-New Zealand opera singers like Jonathon Lemalu, Aivale Cole and the Sol3 Mio trio have forged international careers.But operatic harmonies aren't part of Samoa's music tradition - quite the opposite.
Pre-missionary Samoan music and mythologies are being woven in to a new Samoan opera - Alofagia: Le Opera starring Sol3 Mio.
Seasoned writer and director Anapela Polataivao has worked with composer Poulima Salima to create a series of operatic vignettes for the opera that's being performed in South Auckland.
We talk to Writer and director Anapela Polataivao.
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Drawing on ancient Samoan truths, echoing a time when Gods governed, this new opera is a summoning to re-imagine the Samoan leo (voice).
It'ss the second production staged by TAPA (Tautua Aiga of Performance Art), in association with Nathan Homestead, as part of the Homestead's annual Summer Theatre in the Gardens programme.
Alofagia: Le Opera premieres on Valentine's Day, the 14th of February in South Auckland.