Hamilton’s mezzo-soprano singer Katie Trigg has won the prestigious 2024 Lexus Song Quest, with New Zealand-born Tongan Manase Latu named as the runner-up. The awards were announced live on stage at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre last Saturday, August 3rd.
Katie Trigg received a $50,000 cash prize for professional development, while Manase Latu earned $20,000. Grammy Award-winning lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo, the international head judge, praised the high standard of all five finalists. “The talent displayed by these young singers was outstanding,” she said.
Third place went to Austin Haynes, who won $15,000. Tayla Alexander and Andrew Morgan-King, the other finalists, each received $3,500.
Andrew Davis, Vice President of Lexus New Zealand, described the event as a highlight of Aotearoa’s classical calendar. “We experienced amazing performances at the Lexus Song Quest,” he said.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, reflecting on the event, said, “The Quest has always been the gold standard for discovering stars of tomorrow.” The next Lexus Song Quest will take place in 2026.
