Aria competition will have international flavour

ARIA: President of the New Zealand Aria Trust Jo-Anne La Grouw says the New Zealand Aria competition is a world-class event. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

The competition to make it as a finalist in the New Zealand Aria Finals Night will be fierce, with Kiwi singers going up against competitors from Australia, and even France.

President of the New Zealand Aria Trust Jo-Anne La Grouw said there were 45 entrants, and out of those 45 singers 10 would be selected as finalists to perform on the finals night.

Mrs La Grouw said there were five entrants from Australia and one from France, which "hops the competition up quite a bit".

She said it was the first time someone from Europe had entered.

"I think it just shows we are a truly international competition, not just a New Zealand one anymore."

Mrs La Grouw said in 2011 an Australian won, otherwise it had always been a New Zealander.

She said the prize for the winner was $20,000, with $10,000 cash, $5000 towards costs to enter the Sydney Aria competition and $5000 towards tuition or audition costs.

The full Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will back the finalists, which Mrs La Grouw said always lifted the quality of singing.

Mrs La Grouw said it was really great to have a full, professional orchestra performing in Rotorua.

The guest artist for the evening is Simon O'Neill who travels all over the world singing, she said.

She said Mr O'Neill had links to Rotorua, as he married a woman from here.

The event has attracted top singers in the past, with last year's winner being Amitai Pati from the popular classical trio Sol3 Mio.

"It truly is a world-class event. I've been to operas all over the world and I think we have the best singers. The New Zealand singers are phenomenal."

She said all the finalists would go on to have a professional singing career, so it meant a lot to the people who entered and got into the finals and was good for their CVs.

The public were welcome to come along to the heats on Friday and Saturday for a gold coin donation, and the finals night on Sunday was full ticket price, she said.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.nz.