Amitai Pati stars in NZ Opera's Semele in 2020 Photo: Supplied
A $50,000 annual opera award honouring Dame Malvina Major has been established, with tenor Amitai Pati the first recipient.
Amitai Pati as Jupiter (Handel's Semele, NZ Opera 2020) Photo: Garry Brandon
The new award is being funded by Joan Egan who wanted to acknowledge Dame Malvina’s legacy and celebrate her Foundation’s 30th anniversary.
Amitai Pati is the winner of the 2012 Lexus Song Quest, a member of the acclaimed musical trio Sol3 Mio and recently performed for New Zealand Opera in Handel’s Semele.
Clarissa Dunn spoke to Amitai and Dame Malvina about the new award.
