CONGRATULATIONS

Ōtautahi Christchurch tenor Oliver Sewell has been awarded the prestigious $50,000 Dame Malvina Major Award, at what he says is a ‘critical junction’ in his singing career. The singer recently took out first place in the Vincerò Worldwide Opera Competition in Naples, where he competed against more than 30 finalists from five continents in front of an international panel of judges.

‘Buoyed by the financial support and the huge vote of confidence, this award is the difference in keeping my dream alive,’ he says. The award funded Oliver’s trip to Italy for the Vincerò competition and will support his return to Europe next year to re-establish himself on the international stage.

Dame Malvina says Oliver’s hard work, diligence, integrity and assistance to younger singers has proved he really understands his voice and craft. ‘He has great musicianship and beautiful vocal ease to access the top notes. It is such a pleasure to send him on the next part of his journey knowing he has all the ingredients to become a super opera tenor.’

‘Since the very beginning of my journey, Dame Malvina and the Dame Malvina Major Foundation have always been there to support and help subtly steer me in the right direction,’ explains Oliver. ‘Winning this award is an absolute superlative.’

The Dame Malvina Major Award, established in 2020 and funded by Joan Egan to acknowledge Dame Malvina’s legacy and vision to ‘share the dream’, supports the career development of talented young opera singers handpicked by the foundation.