Katie Trigg (Harington 2014 - 2016), a mezzo-soprano won the 2024 Lexus Song Quest.

The 2024 Lexus Song Quest, in association with the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, is Aotearoa’s most prestigious opera competition.

The awards were announced on stage on Saturday, August 3, in front of a crowd of more than 1,200 people at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre following performances by the five grand finalists. Katie has walked away with a life-changing immediate cash prize of $50,000 for professional development purposes.

Remarkably, this win echoes the journey of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who won the competition in 1965. Te Kanawa, now New Zealand’s most celebrated opera star, transitioned from mezzo-soprano to soprano and enjoyed a stellar international career until her retirement in 2017. She was present on Saturday night, representing her foundation, which supports the event.

International head judge, Grammy Award-winning lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo, said she has been very impressed with the high standard of all five finalists.

“Choosing a top five from such a skilled group of semifinalists has been incredibly challenging,” she said.

“Beyond having a beautiful voice with impeccable tone, technique, and musicality, it’s essential to possess star quality and charisma that immediately captivates the audience.

Reflecting on the importance of the Quest and her deep personal connection to it, Te Kanawa said: “I won it in 1965 and like so many others, it gave my career a huge push.

“From the very start it proved to be the gold standard – the setting in which the stars of tomorrow would shine brightly and brilliantly and tonight, Katie, and indeed all of the finalists, did just that. I am excited to follow your journeys.”

For a full article and additional photos, see source: Waikato Herald 5 August