Music lovers expecting a high calibre of performance were not disappointed at New Zealand's foremost singing competition.
The Waiariki Institute of Technology New Zealand Aria competition was held in Rotorua at the weekend and featured some of the country's finest up-and-coming classically trained singers, backed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Entries doubled from last year and hundreds of fans filled the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre to support the local and national talent at the finals last night.
New Zealand Aria trustee Ian Edward said the finalists for the competition were getting better every year. "Ajudicators John Bolton Wood and Merlyn Quaife have said the standard of performer was immeasurably higher than any other year."
Mr Edward said this year's finals were particularly significant as five of the 10 finalists were from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region.
"We have never had that many local entries make it into the finals which highlights the high level of teaching in the region."
The New Zealand Aria competition has been held annually for the past 13 years in its current format and Mr Edward said all the winners had gone on to enjoy impressive careers.
"All the winners of this competition have gone on to receive international acclaim or achieved at the highest level.
"We had asked Pene Pati, the 2009 winner, to be our guest performer, but he was already set to perform in Chicago at Soldier Field."
The 10 New Zealand Aria finalists performing last night were Kalauni Pouvalu, Benson Wilson, Jarvis Dams, Filipe Manu, Madison Nonoa, Emily Scott, Chelsea Dolman, Christian Thurston, Katherine McIndoe and Isabella Moore.