The Lexus Song Quest (formerly known as the Mobil Song Quest) is a competition held each year in New Zealand since 1956. The competition is managed and presented by the New Zealand International Arts Festival. Originally, it featured contestants who perform a variety of singing, e.g., Country and Western, Pop and Classical. Only more recently has the contest been primarily for Opera Singers. Winners include the sopranos Dame Malvina Major and Dame Kiri te Kanawa, both of whom were trained by Dame Sister Mary Leo. Kiri Te Kanawa was better known as a pop singer and club entertainer when she won the contest.
Past Winners: