Ane Ta Abia
Photo Credit: Cam Matheson
Ane Ta Abia
Aaron Choulai, Australian Art Orchestra and the Tatana Village Choir
Commissioned by Asia TOPA / Arts Centre Melbourne. Co-Produced by WOMADelaide.
Created by AAO Artistic Director Aaron Choulai and featuring Papua New Guinea’s Tatana Village choir - Ane Ta Abia celebrates Motuan choral traditions of Peroveta (from Choulai’s home village), paired with the distinct sounds of the Australian Art Orchestra.
Born from the 19th century colonisation of Papua, Peroveta transforms the traditional harmony, melody and rhythm of Western hymns into an entirely unique form of choral music - performed throughout daily life and rarely heard outside of these communities.
We are thrilled to premiere this work at Asia TOPA / Arts Centre Melbourne on March 8th 2025, featuring a 12-member choir from Tatana and 8-piece AAO ensemble. Four short films follow members of the choir in community, providing insight and context into 50 years of PNG independence and life in Tatana.
Performances
Ane Ta Abia - March 8th, 2025: Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. Premiere of Ane Ta Abia -presented by Asia TOPA / Arts Centre Melbourne. 8PM.
Ane Ta Abia - March 9th, 2025: Tarndanya/Adelaide, Australia. Ane Ta Abia - WOMADelaide. Time and Location TBA.
Creative Team:
Artistic Director, Composer, Pianist: Aaron Choulai
Producer: Jo Redfearn
Technical Director: Jem Savage
Lighting Designer: Jenny Hector
Filmmaker and Documentation: Cam Matheson
Bass: Helen Svoboda
Vibraphone: Sofia Carbonara
Trombone: Adrian Sherriff
Trumpet: Eugene Ball
Saxophones: Sandy Evans
Drums: Joe Talia
Tenor and Soprano Saxophone: Andrew Saragossi
Tatana Village Choir: Heni Paiva
Tatana Village Choir: Mareta Paiva
Tatana Village Choir: Ake Siaoa
Tatana Village Choir: Kasi Udia
Tatana Village Choir: Daure Patrick
Tatana Village Choir: Haraka Patrick
Tatana Village Choir: Gaigo Igo
Tatana Village Choir: Goada Vagi
Tatana Village Choir: Luisa Vagi
Tatana Village Choir: Mary Paul
Tatana Village Choir: Paia Heni
Tatana Village Choir: Hitolo Raka Mogala