Music
Mate Ururoa
For 2 baritones, mezzo and large ensemble
Text in Māori and English by the composer
Commissioned by and written for baritone, David Tahere. The premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York was scheduled for November 2021 but has been postponed because of Covid. The premiere performances were given by Wellington Opera from 11-13 July 2025 at Hannah Playhouse with David Tahere, baritone, Ariana Tikao, singer and taonga pūoro player, and Stroma conducted by Hamish McKeich. The opera was directed by Sara Brodie.
Mate Ururoa | Wellington Opera
About the work
During World War 1, Roger Dansey, of Te Arawa, a captain in the pioneer battalion, disobeys his commander’s orders to save the lives of his men. The piece explores the differences between Māori and European approaches to war.
‘Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa — don’t die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark’ was a saying used in the Dansey family.
Characters and instrumentation
Captain Roger Dansey — baritone
Commanding Officer — baritone
Whaea — mezzo-soprano
Mate Ururoa is scored for an ensemble of taonga pūoro, flute doubling alto flute and piccolo, clarinet doubling E flat and bass clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, percussion, violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Percussion instruments are: marimba, vibraphone, 2 timpani, rototoms, bass drum, wood blocks, wooden drum, metal chimes, 5 suspended cymbals, tamtam, thundersheet, stones and poi.
Scores and recordings
The score will be available from SOUNZ after the premiere performance.
Articles and interviews
Elizabeth Kerr wrote about this work in a blog celebrating my 80th birthday.
Gillian Whitehead at 80 — publication
Together with director Sara Brodie and baritone David Tahere, I was interviewed by Kathryn Ryan on RNZ about the work and the preparation of the premiere.
Rotorua war hero story told in new opera, Mate ururoa — RNZ
Reviews
Elizabeth Kerr reviewed the premiere performance.
Gillian Whitehead’s Mate Ururoa: powerful storytelling with aroha and pride — Five Lines
Hariara Moriaty reviewed the work for TheatreView.