The win caps off an incredible fortnight for Isabella. She flew home from Wales where she completed a Master’s in Advanced Vocal Performance with distinction, and won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Christchurch Aria and Hamilton’s Premier Vocal Award competitions. Last week, she was also confirmed as a semi-finalist in the 2014 Australian Singing Competition.
“It's very overwhelming and exciting. I was really happy with my performance, and it was pretty nerve-wracking waiting to hear the name of the winner, but I'm absolutely thrilled," says Isabella.
Margaret Medlyn from NZSM says that Isabella worked very hard and gained a lot of performance confidence throughout her studies. “Isabella has tremendous talent and a wonderful rare type of voice.”
Four of the six finalists for the 2014 Lexus Song Quest studied at the NZSM–Baritone Christian Thurston, who placed third, mezzo soprano Bianca Andrew and tenor Oliver Sewell.
Isabella, Bianca and Oliver hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Classical Performance (Voice). Christian is currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Music.
In the challenging contest, the six finalists each performed three pieces–one accompanied by pianist Terence Dennis and two arias performing alongside the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Emmanuel Joel-Hornak.
The contest's grand final international judge, British soprano and vocal teacher Kathryn Harries, said Isabella's performance stood out for the combination of vocal technique, musicianship, expressiveness and the x-factor.
Kathryn also believes that all six finalists, with four having studied at NZSM, have international singing careers ahead of them.
"In coming years, I look forward to seeing their names on programmes all over the world.”
Isabella won the title singing Rachmaninoff’s Spring Waters and two arias performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; Mozart’s 'Come scoglio' from Cosi Fan Tutte and Massenet’s 'Pleurez, pleurez mes yeux' from Le Cid.
The winner of the 2014 Lexus Song Quest receives a scholarship of $15,000, a $10,000 cash prize, and a return economy international airfare. Isabella will use the prize money towards auditioning in London for young artist programmes.
Isabella will perform with runner-up Benson Wilson and third place winner Christian at the Lexus Recital Concert, accompanied by Terence Dennis, at the Opera House in Wellington on Tuesday 29 July. Tickets are available through Ticketek.
The Lexus Song Quest programme also includes a Masterclass Series that is free to the public. Lexus Song Quest finalists and semi-finalists will be participating in the masterclasses which will be held in Wellington on Wednesday 30 July, as well as other locations nationwide. One finalist participating in the will be awarded the 2014 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Potential–a $15,000 scholarship to be used towards overseas study.
The Lexus Song Quest is managed and presented by the New Zealand Festival with significant support from the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation for the presentation of the masterclasses and The Dame Malvina Major Foundation who support the second prize of the competition.