The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will partner with composer Ngatai Huata to perform the Maori song “Pokarekare Ana” on April 18 at 3 p.m., and is inviting New Zealanders to participate in the performance. The song was written by Huata’s grandfather, Paraire Henare Tomoana, more than 100 years ago, as a love song to his future wife, Kuini Ripeka Ryland Tomoana; it is one of the best-known Maori songs and has been performed frequently, including a well-known rendition by soprano Kiri Te Kanawa. The lyrics and sheet music to the song have been posted at https://www.nzso.co.nz/nzso-engage/pokarekare-ana/ for participants to download. All New Zealanders are encouraged to play “Pokarekare Ana” on any instrument, or sing from their balcony, driveway, front lawn, or garden shed. A countdown will begin at 2:50 p.m. at facebook.com/newzealandsymphonyorchestra on April 18 before the 3 p.m. mass performance. “In these current challenging times, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with our whānau Tomoana [Tomoana extended family] invites New Zealand and the world to join together in song to uplift our spirits and to share our creative gifts of music and song through this popular iconic love song of New Zealand,” says Ngatai Huata.
Change font size
