Lexus Song Quest 2016

The 2016 Lexus Song Quest winner, baritone Benson Wilson from Auckland discusses how tough the competition is, what it was like to win the top prize, and if he’s going to follow in the footsteps of… Audio

Peter Hoar gives his impressions of how the four finalists - Benson Wilson, Tavis Gravatt, Madison Nonoa and Filipe Manu - from the 2016 Lexus Song Quest performed in the Grand Final. Audio

International judge Yvonne Kenny has spent the last few weeks working with the 2016 Lexus Song Quest finalists. She explains how hard it was to pick just one winner out of the four very talented… Audio

Lynn Freeman talks to the judge of this year's Lexus Song Quest, Yvonne Kenny, and to the 2016 winner, Auckland baritone Benson Wilson. Audio

The Head Judge of the 2016 Lexus Song Quest Yvonne Kenny announces the prizes. The winner, Benson Wilson performs his encore, "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from the opera Die Tote Stadt by Korngold. Audio

The complete second half of the 2016 Lexus Song Quest, in which Filipe Manu, Tavis Gravatt, Madison Nonoa, and Benson Wilson perform two arias each with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted… Audio

Benson Wilson sings "Chanson de la mort de Don Quichotte" by Ibert, and "La Belle Jeunesse" by Poulenc, accompanied by Terence Dennis. The MC is Stuart Maunder. Audio

Soprano Madison Nonoa sings "Ständchen" by Strauss and Britten's arrangement of "The Last Rose of Summer", accompanied by Terence Dennis. The MC is Stuart Maunder. Audio

Bass-baritone Tavis Gravatt sings "Der Doppelgänger" by Schubert and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" by Schönberg, accompanied by Terence Dennis. The MC is Stuart Maunder. Audio

Tenor Filipe Manu sings "Holiday Piece" by Lilburn and "Allerseelen" by Strauss, accompanied by Terence Dennis. The MC is Stuart Maunder. Audio

The Lexus Song Quest final is this Saturday night in Auckland. Today, finalists soprano Madison Nonoa and tenor Filipe Manu, both from Hamilton tell Eva about dealing with nerves, what they enjoy… Audio

The final four in the Lexus Song Quest was named on the weekend. Baritone Benson Wilson and bass baritone Tavis Gravatt, both from Auckland, tell Eva Radich about their road to the final, their… Audio

Announcement by Yvonne Kenny of the four singers to go forward to the 2016 Lexus Song Quest Final. Recorded 17 July 2016 at St Andrew's on The Terrace, Wellington by RNZ Concert. Audio

The second of two recitals featuring the ten semi-finalists. In this recital we hear Madison Nonoa and Imogen Thirlwall (sopranos), Harry Grigg (tenor), Jarvis Dams (baritone) and Tavis Gravatt (bass… Audio

The second of two recitals featuring the ten semi-finalists. In this recital we hear Madison Nonoa and Imogen Thirlwall (sopranos), Harry Grigg (tenor), Jarvis Dams (baritone) and Tavis Gravatt (bass… Audio

The first of two recitals featuring the ten semi-finalists. In this recital we hear Emily Mwila and Sophie Sparrow (sopranos), Filipe Manu (tenor), Bradley Christensen and Benson Wilson (baritones)… Audio

The first of two recitals featuring the ten semi-finalists. In this recital we hear Emily Mwila and Sophie Sparrow (sopranos), Filipe Manu (tenor), Bradley Christensen and Benson Wilson (baritones)… Audio

Celebrating its 60th Birthday this year, the Lexus Song Quest has launched the careers of Aotearoa’s finest international opera stars including Sol3 Mio’s Amitai Pati, Jonathan Lemalu, Dame Malvina… Gallery

Graham Pushee was one of the preliminary judges for the 2016 Lexus Song Quest, and had the tough job of deciding who, of the dozens that applied, has what it takes to compete for New Zealand's most… Audio

Australian soprano Yvonne Kenny is the head judge for this year's Lexus Song Quest, deciding who is worthy of winning New Zealand's most important vocal competition. She's taking time away from… Audio