Pot Pourri of Song
St Faith's Church
Saturday, December 8
Another reason has been added to the lengthening list of those advanced in favour of pint-sized St Faith's Church becoming a multi-purpose cathedral.
It's proved itself to be the perfect convert venue. But with a corollary; it's that any future concert there will have to be world class to outshine the one staged within the church's walls on Saturday night.
Entitled Pot Pourri of Song, it was exactly that.
From the folksy, down-home foursome, the Brothers Edward, to the star of the show, Dame Malvina Major, those who packed the pews were enraptured.
This was Entertainment with a capital E.
Making its debut performance under the baton of former Quin Tikis frontman, Rim D Paul, the Rotorua Maori Choir flew off the blocks, delivering with the polish of much longer-standing professionals.
Whether it was favourites such as Maori Battalion March To Victory or, fittingly, the haunting Ka Ru, written by the former Bishop of Aotearoa, Frederick Augustus Bennett buried beside St Faith's altar, their diction and delivery was near faultless.
Paul's conducting confirmed he hasn't lost an ounce of the stage presence or audience interaction of his showband years.
Where else but Ohinemutu could the programme promise a trio yet a duo appear? When Howie Jnr fluffed his entrance cue Russell Harrison and Elisha F'ai-Hulton stepped up, apparently unrehearsed, to deliver such a hauntingly beautiful rendition of The Prayer, Andrea Bocelli's heart would have swelled.
With Morrison Jnr's arrival, entertainment business old hand Tai Eru found himself press-ganged into joining the Howie Morrison Duo which unexpectedly became a quartet just like the days when "Uncle Tai" sang alongside Howard Morrison Jnr's father, the late, great Sir Howard Morrison.
Harrison and Morrison Jnr, plus event co-organiser Noke (Terry) Morrison made up the numbers.
Morrison's wasn't the only promised trio that changed shape; the Waiariki Music Academy was scheduled to field three, that it didn't mattered not a jot. The missing member would have to be outstanding to eclipse Matatia Brell and Daytona Waiariki. These youngsters are most definitely stars in the making.
One trio that did live up to that predicted number was the all-female Pure Voice. Joining F'ai-Hulton were Maria Kapa and Ramani Sherman; their combined voices supercharged. Wherever have these women been hiding?
All hail Vicki Lee, who seamlessly accompanied so many voices of differing ranges and tempos. Her keyboard solo You Are So Beautiful proved she's as talented on her own as she is backing big voices.
As for Dame Malvina? She may be nudging seven decades, but her voice retains the clarity of crystal.
Greater New Zealand may think it's got talent, but St Faith's concert confirmed Rotorua's as its breeding ground.