Sealord Aria Competition August 11

Sealord Aria Competition August 11, 8pm Nelson School of Music

This year's Nelson Sealord Aria Competition is offering a once in a lifetime opportunity for the winning singer. As well as the monetary prize of $3000, the winner will be considered for inclusion in next year's Sealord Opera in the Park, singing alongside world famous soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Dame Kiri will sing at a special tenth anniversary performance of Sealord Opera in the Park in Nelson on February 16 2008, and musical director Peter Rainey says it would be an Œimmense opportunity' for one of the emerging stars from Sealord Aria to join this concert.

"The aria competition has attracted a strong line up of seven top emerging opera singers and this is a big incentive for them," he said. "We have seen the calibre of young New Zealand talent develop at Sealord Aria over the past four years and we expect a great night at the Nelson School of Music on August 11."

Jan Smith, from the Nelson Performing Arts Competitions, says the opportunities offered by Sealord Aria have gained a reputation around the university music departments. Jan says the two youngest performers, both aged 20 and both sopranos, will be worth looking out for.

"Local singer Jody McDonald hasn't had a lot of experience but accredited herself very well last year at Sealord Aria," she said. "And Elisabeth Daley is one of Dame Malvina Major's pupils and a regular performer at events in the Canterbury area."

Sealord support for the aria competition offers a prize of $3000 for first place winner, the prize comes with the consideration of the winner for Sealord Opera in the Park, and Nelson Performing Arts puts up the $500 for second place.

This competition was initiated in 1984 by Nelson singing teacher Pamela Sims and has been part of the formative experience for many notable young opera stars including Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Simon O'Neill, and Anna Leese.

This year's adjudicator is Marie A Landis who studied at the New South Wales Conservatorium, then performed extensively in Europe with the Sadlers Wells Opera, Welsh National Opera, B.B.C. Television, and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. She has been adjudicator for six major Competitions in New Zealand since 1998.

Sealord Aria is on Saturday, August 11, 8pm at the Nelson School of Music. Tickets $20 at the School of Music or $10 for seniors and students.

ENDS

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