Aria finalists hit high note

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Tom Woods performing at last night's New Zealand Aria. Photo / Andrew Warner

Can Rotorua's New Zealand Aria international song contest get any better?

That is what many who packed Rotorua's Convention Centre Civic Theatre would have been quietly asking themselves when they watched the 10 Aria finalists and three Maori Aria finalists last night.

Once again the Waiariki Institute of Technology-sponsored singing competition reached another level of musical skill and organisational expertise.

From when the first contestant, Rotorua's Christian Thurston, took the stage, to final performer Elisabeth Hanna - who overcame a near crippling bout of food poisoning in the lead-up - very few in the 680-seat theatre would have felt short-changed.

"It was an exhilarating experience, and quite stunning to witness the extraordinary high standard of performances," said New Zealand Aria trustee Ian Edward.

"All the finalists were stunning on the night but across the three days of competition the standard from every singer was very impressive.

"It was a wonderful night to celebrate not only 20 years of the modern Aria, but also 67 years of competition singing in Rotorua."

And the Aria competition could only continue to improve, Mr Edward said.

"Many in the industry here and overseas are now comparing this competition to the very best internationally.

"It is the key reason we are having our young singers achieving with a high level of distinction with their peers internationally.

"The Aria succeeds on three levels - the singers' performance is lifted when accompanied by a full orchestra - the Auckland Philharmonia - and Chapman Tripp opera chorus, plus the high-quality judging, and tertiary institutions are now recognising the competition is crucial for the development of music students.

"Surely it can't get any better but I believe it will."

The 10 New Zealand Aria finalists performing last night were: Christian Thurston, Daniela-Rosa Capeda, Maia Vegar, Amina Edris, James Ioelu, Eliza Boom, Marlena Devoe, Oriana Kershaw, Edward Laurenson and Elizabeth Hanna.

Te Puia Maori Song Aria winner Taunoa Filimoehala also performed with second-placed Te Waikamihi Korohina-Ormsby, and third placed Stella Maris, both of Rotorua.

Full results of the New Zealand Aria finals, and weekend finals will appear in the Rotorua Daily Post tomorrow.