New Zealand International Arts Festival

Aivale Cole has been announced winner of the 2009 Lexus Song Quest after her performance at the Final Concert at Auckland Town Hall on Thursday 23 April.

Described as "very nearly perfect" by international judge Professor Siegfried Jerusalam, soprano Aivale Cole's performances of John Carter's Peter Go Ring dem Bells in the Lieder section, accompanied by pianist Terence Dennis; and Strauss' Es Gibt ein Reich from Ariadne auf Naxos and Verdi's Ritorna Vincitor (Aida) in the Orchestral section accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra secured her first place in the prestigious singing competition. Sharing in the $63,500 prize pool of cash and scholarships are first runner up, bass Wade Kernot of Auckland and second runner up, soprano Julia Booth of Hamilton.

The Song Quest is a proven springboard for young singers and has helped to launch the international careers of previous winners such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Malvina Major, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Jonathan Lemalu.

After the success of the 2007 inaugural Lexus Song Quest Recital Tour, the 2009 Song Quest continued with this exciting development. The top three prize-winners toured the country giving audiences around New Zealand a chance to hear these promising young performers firsthand, and also giving the prize-winners a taste of professional touring.

The judge for the Final Concert was Siegfried Jerusalem, one of the world's leading tenors of our generation, particularly associated with the roles of Wagner and his many appearances at the Bayreuth Festival. Professor Jersalem lead Lexus Song Quest Masterclasses in the four main centres of the Recital Tour, free for the general public to observe.

For further information on the Lexus Song Quest, please contact lexussongquest@festival.co.nz.