Music student Samuel Mataele wins Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest

Congratulations to Samuel Mataele, a Bachelor of Music student, on winning the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest on 11 July.

The 19-year-old countertenor’s commanding performance wowed the judges and earned Mataele $50,000.

Mataele wasn’t the only University of Auckland representative in the competition. BMus (Hons) graduate Samuel Downes placed third in the final, while MMus graduate Holly Evans and BMus graduate Jack Doyle were semi-finalists.

“All four of those singers did a wonderful job,” says Dr Morag Atchison, a leading soprano and senior lecturer in voice at the University’s School of Music.

While at Sacred Heart College, Mataele worked with notable music teacher Fiona Ferens.

“Fiona gave him the most extraordinary start vocally and musically, and has continued to be his mentor,” says Atchison. “Fiona suggested that Sam entered the competition ‘just for the experience’. What an experience!”  

Atchison says she is looking forward to working with Mataele in Semester Two.

“Samuel is an extraordinary young singer who has an innate sense of musicality with a vocal technique well beyond his years. He certainly has the makings of being a world- class singer.” 

The six finalists performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre in the presence of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and American opera star Frederica von Stade, who was international head judge.

The Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest is New Zealand opera’s most prestigious singing competition and has launched the opera careers of many talented New Zealanders.