Take the words of an award-winning poet and the music of an acclaimed musician, composer, singer / songwriter, and poetry takes on new meaning and reaches a new audience.
Local musician Elizabeth de Vegt has taken poems from Airini Beautrais' book Flow, set them to music, and is singing them at a stunning location during La Fiesta.
"I knew Airini was an amazing poet, went to the library, got out all her poetry books, was attracted to Flow because I seem to write a lot of my own songs about the river, or oceans, or water," says Elizabeth. "I kind of had that connection already before I read the book."
The book is divided into three parts with different writing styles, so Elizabeth has chosen poems from each section to put to music.
"I made a short list and just went for it," she says. "I'm aiming for 15. It's going to be a full show."
Before Christmas Elizabeth talked to Carla Donson, La Fiesta creator and co-ordinator, about the idea, and asked Airini for permission to use her poetry in a concert.
"She was very generous and said yes.
"Then I started writing and got on a roll. It was almost like they wrote themselves. The text is beautiful, it's in its full form, well thought out with these incredibly deep ideas and layers and imagery. I just had to put the music to it.
"The stories they tell, that's what sucks you in. The way the book is written is so imaginative."
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Advertise with NZME.Some of the poems are written in song form, with repeated refrains and rhythm.
Elizabeth says some of the poems have a "hymn-like" feel to them.
For the first half of the show Elizabeth will perform solo, bringing in other musicians and singers for the second half.
The venue is a beautiful home on Durie Hill, formerly the home of Gita Brooke, with a view over the river, the perfect setting for Airini's poems and Elizabeth's music.
"I have a vision of an intimate, very special, one-off performance. You get to be part of something magical in a very special location. Airini's going be there and she'll read some poems.
"And we're supporting La Fiesta."
The final song will be a capella, with as many harmonies as Elizabeth can arrange.
"It's going to be outside so it will pay to bring chairs or a picnic blanket."
Beautrais X de Vegt is on Friday, March 5 at 7pm. Tickets are $25 through the Royal Wanganui Opera House. Wine and nibbles at the concert. Venue will be confirmed on booking.
