Baritone adds accolade to growing list

Baritone Christian Thurston with the second place-getter, soprano Elisabeth Harris. Photo / Supplied

A Rotorua baritone says he is "over the moon" after winning the prestigious Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria in Wellington at the weekend.

Christian Thurston, the 23-year-old former John Paul College head boy, took out the $4000 first prize and was the only man taking part in the competition.

Among his other achievements this year, Mr Thurston is a Freemasons Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist with New Zealand Opera and came third in the recent Lexus Song Quest.

Mr Thurston said it had been a "rewarding year" so far.

"I was pretty over the moon with my win over the weekend and I guess now I just need to keep moving forward and do the next thing. I am really looking forward to the New Zealand Aria Competition held in Rotorua later this year."

Mr Thurston said growing up in a small town did not limit your potential.

"Rotorua is shaped with personality and the people there have a lot of respect for culture and the arts so I am very grateful for growing up there, as well as going to John Paul College which puts a lot of emphasis on the arts."

Mr Thurston will travel to New York at the beginning of next year to audition for Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia to complete his masters. Mr Thurston's mother, John Paul College head of drama Gabrielle Thurston, said she was "very excited for him" and wished she had been there to see the win.

"It has been a lovely year for Christian but also a very busy one. He is fulfilling his dream and loves performing so we are very happy for him."

The Wellington Regional Vocal Competitions Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria is the second of three 2014 regional Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria competitions which lead into the New Zealand Aria Competition held in Rotorua in early November.