The south Auckland Pati family will be hoping for success and musical history on Thursday in Wellington when son Amitai Pati, one of the six Lexus Song Quest finalists, takes the stage. His brother Darren Pene Pati last year won the prestigious Sydney
Lexus Song Quest, grand final
Michael Fowler Centre
Wellington
August 30
Lexus Song Quest Winners’ Recital
Saturday, September 1, 7.30pm,
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland
The south Auckland Pati family will be hoping for success and musical history on Thursday in Wellington when son Amitai Pati, one of the six Lexus Song Quest finalists, takes the stage.
His brother Darren Pene Pati last year won the prestigious Australian singing competition, the Sydney Eisteddfod Macdonalds Aria.
Having the two brothers in the classical music spotlight, winning both Australasian top classical singing awards would be an extraordinary achievement.
Other finalists joining 22-year-old tenor Amitai are countertenor Stephen Diaz (24), soprano Grace Park (21), baritone Kawiti Waetford (21), soprano Bryony Williams (22) and tenor Alexander Wilson (21).
The grand final concert will see the finalists battle it out live on stage.
In perhaps the most exhilarating and nerve-wracking night of their careers, the young singers will perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of distinguished operatic conductor Oliver von Dohnányi, for the quest’s international judge, Dennis O’Neill.
“The finalists in Lexus Song Quest 2012 are wonderfully talented young people. It was a challenging decision to make but we are very happy with the line-up which sees four young men and two young women going through to the grand final," preliminary judge Rodney Macann says.
"There is a beautiful multicultural mix in the group which makes them very representative of Aotearoa, New Zealand today. There is also a strong sense of community among this group and many were curious to discover whether their friends were also successful.”
Renowned tenor Dennis O’Neill has flown here from his home in Britain, where he is the founder of the world-famous Wales International Academy of Voice.
He was to work with the singers ahead of the final, coaching them on technique, language and musical expression, all of which will be scrutinised on the night.
As well as professional acclaim, the winner and runners-up receive substantial cash, travel and study prizes designed to kick-start a career on the international stage.
“There is so much at stake for these young singers. The next six weeks will be a very crucial time. All of them, with their very individual talents are potential Lexus Song Quest winners. I am hugely looking forward to the final,” Mr Macann says.
The winner gets a $10,000 cash prize, a $15,000 study grant and return international airfares – and becomes the 56th winner, joining the ranks of quest alumni including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (1965), Dame Malvina Major (1963), Teddy Tahu Rhodes (1991) and Jonathan Lemalu (1998).
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