The Legend of Tatuna

This is our main ‘gallery’ based on an original tale written by Alexander Anderson-Hall taking inspiration from a recent trip to New Zealand.

The story concerns Amatu, the eldest son of a proud, traditional hunting family living in a land steeped in folklore, superstition and mystery. When Amatu comes of age, his father conducts the ceremony that sees him exiled into the dangerous Kenebe Forest as tradition dictates, where he must face his fears and learn to accept his destiny. For the cycle of one moon he must explore the ever-changing woodland with its mystical forces before he may return, so proving his worth and claiming his rights of manhood.
He soon encounters a mysterious hermit who exerts a powerful influence on his journey, creating various challenges for Amatu by projecting his greatest fears onto the woodland around him. When he shows Amatu the image of a woman kept prisoner by her jealous father, Amatu is immediately entranced by her beauty, and undertakes to save her.

A few weeks later, Amatu's travels bring him to the plains surrounding Mount Volga. It is inside the volcano that he must try to save Alba from her fate, and in the attempt, learn the greatest lesson of his young life. The story ends when Amatu returns home, accepting his destiny to lead, and relishing the richness of life around him.

This story embraces the warmth of friendship, the tragedy of loss, the sublime act of sacrifice and the simplicity of folklore. Its universal themes appeal to adults and children alike.

"Staging was remarkably effective, with subtle changes of lighting and backdrop skillfully executed by the two singers in the course of their performance. The transition from day to night and back again, and the evocation of the volcano Mount Volga in whose flames the image of the woman ‘Alba’ is consumed, were imaginative and memorable... the visual montage stood out well and created an atmospheric surround for items such as Schumann’s ‘Zwielicht’ (‘Twilight’) or Ivor Gurney’s ‘Sleep’. All in all the performers are to be congratulated on pulling off this bold musical and theatrical venture, which was warmly applauded by a large audience." (From a review at Dolgellau Music Club)

Gallery Three: Handel's Messiah >>

Gallery Four: La Boheme >>

Gallery Five: Gala Concert 3 singers>>

Gallery Six: Gala Concert 4 singers>>

Gallery Seven: Christmas Special>>

Gallery Eight: Hollywood Greats>>

Gallery Nine: Tales from Vienna>>

 

Gallery One: Songs of the Phoenix >>