A contest to provide encouragement and opportunity for New Zealand singers; groups and soloists.
To start with, the quest was devoted expressly to ballad singers and the first competition attracted 1500 entries. From these, only one representative was selected from each radio district.
The selection process was changed for the third quest, held in 1959. It was decided to select the 12 best singers in the country, irrespective of how many came from each district. Another innovation in that year was the introduction of prizes for the teachers of place-getters. Apart from these changes, the first prize was increased, with the extra sum being granted if the winner decided within 12 months to go overseas for further study.
In 1961, the opportunity was taken to introduce a Gilbert and Sullivan section as the contest coincided with the expiry of a strict copyright control on those songs. There were three singers in that section and nine in the main solo section.
In 1963 two of Sister Mary Leo’s young pupils won first and second prizes — Malvina Major, a 20 year old soprano from Hamilton, was first and Kiri Te Kanawa, a 19 year oid from Auckland was second. Besides these now famous names, the Hamilton event included three other soloists who went on to successful overseas careers — Anson Austin, Rodney Macann and Grant Dickson.
Kiri went on to win the next final in Dunedin in 1965.
The 1972 Mobil Song Quest final concert was held in the Christchurch Town Hall on Thursday evening, 19 October, the prize-giving ceremony and one song from each of the winners being telecast live through the NZBC television network. Announcements of winners and presentation of sashes were made by His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr N.G. Pickering, and the Chairman of Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mr J.B. Leslie.
In 1974 the quest final was presented both in the Auckland radio theatre and, nine days later, in the Wellington Town Hall with the N.Z.B.C. Symphony Orchestra.
Another dimension was added to the final concert in 1977 in Auckland. Instead of listening to the singers at the local broadcasting station, as in all previous quest finals, the judges heard and saw them perform on stage. This change was thought desirable because part of the winner's prize was automatic entry in the Sydney Sun Aria, which is always judged on a singer's performance in a public hall.
John Blumsky introduced highlights of 1979's contest. Finalists were accompanied by the Dunedin Civic Orchestra under the direction of William Southgate, and the winners were chosen by Peter Hemmings, general manager of the Australian Opera Company.
Performers: Margaret Dennise, Ansilee Bannister, John Sear, Jane Kenaway, Malcolm Smith (winner), Gillian Trott.
Producer Bernie Allen
Director Michael Scott
Sptv-Rnz
Since 2005 the quest has been known as the Lexus Song Quest and has a strong focus on opera performances.
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