Singers converge on Rotorua for NZ Aria

STRONG DUET: Anne Larkin (foreground) and Ian Edward have encouraged singers to perform at the Aria for the last 20 years.PHOTO/BEN FRASER 301013BF3

Ian Edward and Anne Larkin never doubted a top quality international singing competition would prosper in Rotorua.

But it took a lot of late night phonecalls and strong encouragement by the pair, among others, to position the Waiariki Institute of Technology New Zealand Aria among the best song contests in Australasia.

The pair, both Aria trustees, have encouraged aspiring singers to the competition for the past 20 years.

"I always thought it would be successful but every year I wonder why I put myself through it all.

"At the end of the finals night it is really exhilarating, it's a marvellous competition," Mrs Larkin said.

The Aria competition, which began today and runs until finals night on Sunday - at all three Convention Centre theatres - created opportunities for young talented singers to try and reach their goals, Mr Edward said.

Mr Edward had heard the World Singing Contest in Cardiff and believed Rotorua could emulate the Welsh competition. A chance meeting in the local dairy with initial sponsor, Joe La Grouw of Lockwood Homes, kicked the idea off, he said.

The Rotorua competition is one of the few competitions where each singer is accompanied by a full orchestra - this year it is the Auckland Philharmonia orchestra, he said.

"The orchestra creates a wonderful backdrop for singers to enhance their skills. The opportunity to sing with an orchestra which many singers don't have is enough reward for their endeavours if they don't win anything.

"It has been one of the highlights of the competition in the last 20 years since we got the orchestra. It is like a club rugby team playing against All Blacks - the younger singers increase their skills from learning and listening to more experienced players."

Forty-four singers, including one from the United Kingdom, and two from Australia, will contest the main Aria competition this weekend. Ten will be selected to perform on finals night on Sunday. The open winner receives $15,000, and entry to the McDonald Aria in Sydney in 2014.

A record number of entrants, in the under-21 category this year, has meant an early start to the competition.

There is a wide range of singing categories, including folk and traditional, light entertainment and oratorio aria. There is also a Maori song section, of which three singers will be chosen to perform for finals night.

Two international judges - Graham Pushee and Barbara Cullen - will select finalists for the Aria open section.

No singer had ever won the first time they entered, Mr Edward said.

"Most winners have performed at least three times before they broke into the top echelon."

No one knew how far the Aria can go, Mrs Larkin said.

"Every year it gets better and better.