A University of Waikato student won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Dunedin Aria finals at the Mayfair Theatre last night.
Soprano Eliza Boom, of Hamilton, beat five other singers by performing the arias Si, mi chiamano Mimi, by composer Giacomo Puccini, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi, by composer Vincenzo Bellini.
The voice performance honours student won $5000 from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the Celebration of a Century Cup.
The runner up, soprano Sophie Sparrow, won the Val Braumann Award of $2000 and the Chambers Family Tray.
Third place winner soprano Julia Moss Pearson won the Cleveland and Hadley; Robinson Awards of $1000.
The judges’ choice award winner, soprano Ingrid Fomison Nurse, won the Queen Rose Retirement Home Award of $250 and the Gaelic Society Trophy.
Competition convener Susanne Chambers said the competition was “exciting”, with high quality performances enjoyed by about 80 people. – source Otago Daily Times