Heritage House was filled with anticipation yesterday before a lunchtime recital featuring the four Dame Malvina Major Foundation scholars of the New Zealand Opera.
Three of the four are students and have returned to the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui until January 22.
The scholars (previously called emerging artists) have been described by opera school director Jonathan Alver as opera "apprentices".
After selection these students spend a year with the New Zealand Opera, experiencing the rigours of opera production and performance, Mr Alver said.
Opera School executive chairman Donald Trott said the annual lunch time recital was only possible due to generous sponsorship from Wanganui Opera Week (WOW), which had organised the lunch and recital since the school began 23 years ago.