Third time the charm for NZ Aria winner

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

Where the New Zealand Aria's concerned third time lucky isn't a fallacy.

Last night's win by Aucklander, James Ioelu, was time number three on Rotorua's Civic Theatre stage and it was the clincher.

His Catalogue Aria from Don Giovanni captivated Australian adjudicators, Graham Pushee and Bernadette Cullen.

For them, Ioelu hit all the right notes, but Pushee revealed they were looking for much more. On their wish list was vocal quality, technical finesse, dramatic and emotional control, expression and audience connection.

Ioelu, with recent US experience, met each criteria. His win couldn't have been better timed, he's London-bound for The Royal Opera House's Young Artists' Programme. That's some quantum leap from downtown Rotorua, but the Aria proved he's got the voice to carry him across the divide.

The Aria isn't any singing competition, it's this country's premier event for classical singers. The ten finalists aren't assisted by a sole accompanist, they're backed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra under Maestro Tom Woods' baton.

None were daunted by it.

To quote contest president, Joanne La Grouw, the experience lifts finalists' voices ten notches.

Coming in second was Samoan-born Aucklander, Marlena Devoe with an excerpt from Bellini's I Puritani. Translated, that's The Puritans; how apt, Devoe's voice is a pure delight.

This was her second shot at the Aria, she made it into the finals in 2010 and hopes for a Rotorua return next year.

Christchurch's Amina Edris was third with Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins from Massent's Manon. Edris is another on the verge of an international career - Cardiff's her next stop.

Scoring a scholarship to the New Zealand Opera School, fourth place-getter, Edward Laurenson with a dramatic version of Bizet's Toreador song from Carmen, has also competed in his third New Zealand Aria.

Warmly as each was applauded, the night's biggest hoorah went to local man, Christian Thurston, who began his performing career exactly where he stood on Sunday night. His frequent director, a proud Robert Young, confirmed Thurston continues to embrace the theatre.

An added bonus for this year's Aria, the 20th to be Rotorua-based, was the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus. Its two appearances confirms what a brilliant instrument the voice is - the more so when it gains collective strength.

Who better for the last word on the multi-course musical feast than Dame Malvina Major?

It was, she said, "amazing... and it's just going to get better."