Auckland baritone Benson Wilson (25) has been named 2016 Lexus Song Quest winner at an award gala in Auckland.
The biennial contest is for opera singers and previous winners include Dame Kiri te Kanawa and Dame Malvina Major.
It’s the award’s 60th anniversary this year.
Benson Wilson came second in the Quest in 2014 but this time he took the top prize.
That includes a scholarship to study at the Guildhall School of Music in London and he said he believed his voice could still improve.
In second place was Auckland Tenor Filipe Manu (Tongan), third place was Hamilton soprano Madison Nonoa (Samoan/Niuean/European), with Auckland Bass Baritone Tavis Gravatt coming in at fourth place.
Judge Yvonne Kenny said she was impressed by all finalists and New Zealand’s tradition of beautiful voices and refined singing continues
