Chorus of criticism
Two of our classical stars tell the Listener why RNZ Concert still matters.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has been vocal in her support of maintaining RNZ Concert saying the threat to it was “an inestimable blow to the arts in New Zealand”. Her career, she told the Listener, has benefitted from her exposure on radio.
“In 1963, RNZ recorded the Mobil Song Quest in Hamilton where I came runner up, aged 19. I remember being so excited at the thought of being heard throughout New Zealand. Then, in 1965, I won the competition. Sadly, my parents could not be present but they heard me on the radio at home; they were so happy for me.
“Many of my foundation students have been involved with RNZ and it has been pivotal to their career development.”
She remembers how exposure on radio in the US led to a career breakthrough. In 1974, she sang Desdemona in Otello at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, taking over from another singer due to illness. “So, I went on and sang the whole opera without any rehearsal – and then discovered it had been broadcast live on radio across the entire US. That one performance became the basis of my later career at the Metropolitan Opera.
“I see the role of RNZ in 2020 as being an ambassador for classical music, showcasing young New Zealand talent, nurturing and encouraging young voices. RNZ should be our voice and a reflection of our country.”
New Zealand-born Samoan international opera star Jonathan Lemalu also weighed in: “Seventy years of Radio New Zealand classical music traditions seemingly cast away to make way for a perceived ‘younger, more diverse audience’? What’s wrong with encouraging a younger more diverse classical music audience?
“They talk of diversity? Targeting Māori and Pasifika audiences? As one of the elder statesmen of the Kiwi Polynesian classical music community working nationally and globally, I know my achievements, success and story heard over RNZ airwaves have in some way inspired many multicultural
Kiwi kids in the next generations, artists who could easily have had success in other genres, but who chose classical music.
“My role models, like Inia Te Wiata and Iosefa Enari, were passed to me via RNZ Concert and perhaps I was able to inspire in turn.”
“Many [younger singers and musicians] have been involved with RNZ and it has been pivotal to their career development.”