The 18 young competitors in the 2011 Michael Hill International Violin Competition are already winners for reaching the semifinals in Queenstown, the event's founder says.
Sir Michael Hill officially welcomed the violinists, their host families, their judges, trustees and supporters to the event, now in its 10th year, in the Queenstown Memorial Hall yesterday.
The Arrowtown entrepreneur asked the finalists to imagine their lives as leatherbound books in a library. Their time in the competition was going to be "interesting reading", he said.
Sir Michael said there were "endless entries" for the competition and, while there always had to be one winner, their entries showed spirit, determination and a willingness to push the boundaries.
"I envy what you're going to do. I never did it. I had to go into the jewellery business. It didn't turn out so bad," he said.
The competition's founding trustee urged the competitors to set goals 30 years out. Queenstown was "an amazing place for getting in the zone".
Watching the competitors play will be "a most amazing time for me", he said.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the "truly international and genuinely cultural event" underscored the diversity and versatility of the district.
"In a year when the majority of tourism and competition focus on New Zealand is centred on rugby, it's great to see the level of interest in another competition with an equally international appeal, an equally high standard of performance and an equally competitive spirit.
"Sir Michael's support helps show the world another example of the can-do spirit and inspiration that's as much a part of being here as the glorious scenery."
Dr Robin Congreve, New Zealand chairman of the panel of six international judges, said the vision of the competition was to produce violinists who would have long-lasting, durable and versatile careers.
He told the competitors to draw inspiration from the scenery and not be afraid to show individuality in their performances. "We're all violinists too so we know what you're going through," he said.
Queenstown group Kiwi Haka gave the finalists and audience a traditional Maori welcome.
Sir Michael and Christine, Lady Hill, drew names for the order in which the finalists will compete.
Josef Spacek, of the Czech Republic, the 2009 winner, played a recital in the memorial hall last night. The recently-appointed concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic was accompanied by Sarah Watkins on piano.
The finalists from Russia, the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Uzbekistan, Korea and Poland are competing in Queenstown in two rounds of ticketed competition over the holiday weekend.
