The 1904 revised libretto deals with the adventures of John Smith, an Australian politician in New Zealand who tangles with a Maori tohunga (priest). The romantic interest, and indeed the focus of the narrative action, comes about through Mara, a 'Katisha' who has been declared 'tapu' or sacred. 'Any man who touches her must either marry her or die - and apparently many have been prepared to meet death cheerfully' (The Sydney Morning Herald 11 July 1904, p10).
New Zealand newspaper The Free Lance provides insight into the principal characters originally conceived by Adams and Hill:
Miss Gertie Campion (Fay Chrysaha) and Mr. D. O'Connor (John Smith) have leading parts as two operatic stars whose civilian dress has been seized by distrustful creditors while they were on the backblocks stage, and who, therefore, in their fancy dress, find refuge in the Maori pah. Smith is mistaken for the Commonwealth delegate, and is honoured accordingly. He also captures the fancy of Mara, a Maori maiden, whose lover (Tonga), in jealous retaliation, makes love to Chrysalia ('Footlight,' p.21).
Arias and ballet music known to have been written for the opera are : 'Hail, Mighty Politician,' 'Poi Dance' 'Bicycle Song,' 'Bedelia,' 'A Woman's Wistful Heart,' 'No Love Like the Old Love' and 'A Happy Family,' "Nobody Takes the Chances,' 'The Terrible Law of Tapu,' and 'O Mara, Your Heart is a Garden.' One particular highlight was the Maori 'Haka,' of which on critic wrote: 'an almost indescribable savage outburst; an ethnologist rather than mere musical critic should be turned on to do justice to so typical and 'nationalistic' a performance' (Age 22 Aug. 1904, p6).
Written sometime around 1897, the libretto for Tapu helped Arthur H. Adams obtain a contract in Australia as J. C. Williamson's literary secretary. Despite his enthusiasm for the opera Williamson did not stage the work himself until 1904, however, and then under controversial circumstances. An early draft of Tapu was, however, staged by the Pollard Opera Company in New Zealand in 1903, and again in Hobart, Tasmania that same year.
When Williamson finally staged the opera himself Adams had already left his employment. Because he owned the rights to the work Williamson engaged David H. Souter to re-work Adams' original story in the romantic opera style. He also had Souter delete a number of scenes containing political and satirical comment. One such scene, for example, contained the lines: 'we will kill and cook Australian politicians who [come] to New Zealand with the intention of running the two countries under one government.' Although these scenes had been written into the libretto by Adams they were not part of his original play. An Age music critic also notes that while 'a broad, caricature of a well-known politician was a leading feature of the show as it was given in New Zealand and in Sydney... all that is changed now as far as possible, in deference probably to Mr Reid's exaltation to the dignified rank of Prime Minister' (22 August 1904. p6). Additional lyrics were also written by Bert Royle for new music composed by Hill.
Although Williamson himself took part credit for the new version, neither Souter's nor Royle's names were included in the advertised credits. The new version, and the way in which it came about, angered Adams and he subsequently raised his objections to the way local writers were mistreated by managers (like Williamson) on several occasions in The Lone Hand and The Theatre. According to John Mansfield Thomson 'in Alfred Hill's eyes the Pollard production of Tapu was [also] the best' (82).
1903 : Opera House, Wellington, New Zealand, 16-21 February [6 pfm]
1903 : Hobart, Tasmania ; no details
1904 : Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, 9-29 July (19 pfms).
1904 : Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, 20-31 August
1954 : Conservatorium of Music, Sydney; 21-23 January.
Review of the 1904 Melbourne production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 20-31 August).
Review of the 1904 Sydney production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 9-29 July).
Review of the 1904 Melbourne production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 20-31 August).
Review of the 1904 Melbourne production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 20-31 August).
Review of the 1904 Sydney production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 9-29 July).
Review of the 1904 Melbourne production of Tapu; The Tale of a Maori Pahli (Her Majesty's Theatre; 20-31 August).
Review of the 1903 Pollards' Comic Opera Company production (Wellington, New Zealand; 16-21 February).