Mobil trio came, sang, conquered

By WILLIAM DART

MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE, Wellington - There was a time when the Mobil Song Quest managed the Kiwi ideal of being everything for everyone, with country groups and barbershop crooners taking part alongside would-be divas.

But the Mobil has been purely classical for some years now, and with a $25,000 top prize is as big as it gets in this country.

Wednesday night at home, listening to the final concert piped down the line from Wellington, was almost as adrenalin-charged as the Commonwealth Games coverage.

And one felt nostalgic rather than disadvantaged, remembering that the competition was originally judged purely on the broadcast performance. A recording can be a singer's fiercest test.

Alas, irritation set in early with unctuous compere Bob Parker's deathless jokes (a character from a Bizet song was dismissed as a visitor from Hawkes Bay) and silly hyperbole (the NZSO was described as incomparable).

The six chosen singers came, sang and three conquered. Anthony Rolfe Johnson prefaced his final judgment with some cautionary remarks. He was going on potential rather than straightforward results. I suspected that we were being primed for the youngest finalist, 21-year-old Anna Leese, carrying off the top award, and she did.

While Leese was beautifully poised in an aria from Haydn's Creation and undaunted by the stratospheric lines of Puccini's Chi il bel sogno di Doretta, a rather awkwardly handled Strauss lieder seemed a liability.

Runner-up Kate Spence produced the more satisfying all-round performance. Brahms' Unbewegt laue Luft was invested with an almost Mahlerian intensity and the feisty Isabella fairly snapped to life in a dazzling aria from Rossini's Italian Girl.

In complete contrast the mezzo's rich, burnished tone gave Elgar's Sabbath Morning at Sea a real gravitas.

Third was the brilliant Ana James, who offered coloratura all the way, from a glittering Der Holle Rache to Strauss' giddying Amor. An aria from La Sonnambula inspired applause that would have awakened the dead, let alone the sleep-walking.

And it isn't over. Aucklanders have the chance tomorrow to attend a free masterclass in which Rolfe Johnson will work with James, Andrew Conley and four other young singers. In previous years, judges have offered revelations of just what singing and music are all about.

It's at the Music Theatre at the University Music School from 3pm to 6pm. Who knows, you might have a preview of the 2004 Mobil winner.