Op' Stars - Mobil Song Quest 2000

Television (Full Length) – 2000

The Mobil Song Quest began in 1956 as a radio contest. It soon became New Zealand's most prestigious classical singing competition. This documentary follows 12 young singers gunning for the final in 2000. Judges whittle the list down to six finalists who will perform with the NZ Symphony Orchestra in a bid to be crowned the winner. Baritone Andrew Conley is the youngest of the group; he's proud to call opera a "sexy" art form. Contralto April-Marie Neho leans on the support of whānau as she battles a last minute illness, and 1996 runner up baritone Jared Holt has his sights set on finally winning the competition.

You play with people's lives, and to a certain extent their aspirations, and we try to be as positive as is possible.
– Competition organiser Diana Cable on delivering the happy, or sad news to semi-finalists