Plazas leapt around the four students, adjusting chins, heads, shoulders and all the while telling them they were marvellous.
Her masterclass was all about the students, not about entertaining the capacity audience.
It was enlightening and terrific to hear this world-class tutor at work, physically rearranging her students while giving encouragement with every move.
The students, sopranos Shana Matthews, Millie Trusttum, Sarah Mileham and baritone Fa’amanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, were all eager to be front and centre of this masterclass.
Accompanying them was the prestigious Terence Dennis.
It was riveting and fascinating watching Plazas whirling around these young singers.
There were many times I wanted to cheer, too.
Plazas has only recently retired from the stage, where she was a company principal with English National Opera, her highlights there including the role of Cio-Cio San in an acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly, as well as performing at Glyndebourne and throughout Europe.
Plazas has talked frequently about how she is passionate about nurturing the next generation of young singers.
For the audience listening to these students on Monday night, it was inspiring.
Soprano Sarah Mileham was a standout as Mimi singing the glorious aria from Puccini’s La Boheme, Donde Luieta Usi.
Mileham was incredible and we will hear more of her as she climbs to the top rungs of international opera.
As Dennis said at the start of the masterclass, it was a thrill to hear young New Zealand singers before they left for overseas and then to hear them when they are successful.
“There is nothing more satisfying for me.”
