There were large entries in both the Aria and the National Singing School Recital classes in this year's festival, with performances of such a standard that several performers could have rightly expected to be among the top three places in either class.
Audiences were hugely impressed by the standard, notonly of the singing of the participants, but also of all the other aspects of presentation which go into making a convincing performance.
Six were selected for the Aria final, with each repeating the aria from the preliminary round, plus an additional aria. The result was a concert that entranced the large audience.
Penny Benson, representing contenders Napier Computer Systems, now in its 10th year of sponsorship, complimented Napier Performing Arts for providing such excellent opportunities for up-and-coming singers to perform, and the pleasure of being able to follow the future careers of participants.
Adjudicator Ian Campbell, from Hamilton, commented on how the performers had "upped their game" from the preliminary round, were able to characterise the role each was playing and produce the "wow factor" in a winning performance.
The first prize of $4000 was awarded to Wellington soprano Bryony Williams for her exhilarating performances of Ei parte from Cosi fan tutte by Mozart and Ernani Involami from Ernani by Verdi.
Second prize of $2000 went to Wellington tenor Thomas Atkins for his polished singing of Dies Bildnis from The Magic Flute by Mozart and E La Solita Storia from L'Arlesiana by Cilea.
Third prize of $1000 went to Auckland tenor Amitai Pati for his assured presentation of Un Aura Amorosa from Cosi fan tutte by Mozart and Quando le sere al placido from Luisa Miller by Verdi.
Auckland baritone Moses Mackay, Wellington baritone Kieran Rayner and soprano Isabella Moore each received finalists' awards of $250, sponsored by Clean Earth Ltd.
All present would have been hugely impressed with the support given to the singers in the brilliant accompanying of pianists Somi Kim from Auckland and Greg Neil from Hamilton.
The audience was captivated by the performance from guest artists, flautist Jose Aparicio and pianist Freya Hodgson, playing Sonata for Flute and Piano by Poulenc and Fantasie Opus 79 by Faure.
Linda Pipe, with her excellent introductions, again expertly filled the role of compere.
