Two Dunedin singers will vie for New Zealand's oldest singing competition, the Otago Daily Times Aria, this weekend.
Soprano Olivia Drake and baritone Julien Van Mellaerts are among nine singers competing for the prize today and tomorrow.
This year's entries also include 2009 Lexus Song Quest finalist soprano Sarah-Ann Walker, of Christchurch, and Auckland soprano Joanna Foote, who has recently returned to New Zealand after studying in the United Sates.
It also sees the return to Dunedin of Crystel Benton, of Blenheim, who studied under University of Otago William Evans senior lecturer in voice Judy Bellingham.
"The high standard of contestants this year will make the judge's decision a difficult one," convener Susanne Chambers said.
The judge is Auckland Opera Studio director Frances Wilson.
The ODT has a long history of encouraging young New Zealand singers.
In 1936, the newspaper combined with the Evening Star to sponsor a grand choir contest with a first prize of 100 - a not inconsiderable sum of money at the time.
First prize in the aria this year is the Celebration of the Century Cup and $4000; second prize is the Chambers Family Trophy and $3000 and third prize is the Honor McKellar Award and $1000.
Last year's winner was 19-year-old Wellington-based soprano Amelia Berry, who was appearing in her first aria competition final.
The entrants are. -Olivia Drake (soprano), of Dunedin; Sarah-Ann Walker (soprano), of Christchurch; Brent Read (tenor), of Auckland; Bryony Williams (soprano), of Wellington; Veronica McCarrison (soprano), of Invercargill; Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone), of Dunedin; Rachelle Pike (mezzo soprano), of Christchurch; Crystel Benton (soprano), of Blenheim; and Joanna Foote (soprano), of Auckland.
The heats start at Burns Hall at 7pm today and the competition concludes with the ODT Aria final in the Glenroy Auditorium at 7.30pm tomorrow.
