Teddy Tahu Rhodes is back is the country to judge this year's Lexus Song Quest.
Clarissa Dunn caught up with the Australia-based NZ opera singer to talk about highlights from his career since winning first prize in the contest himself back in 1991.
Teddy recalls a comment by the judge that year, Madame Loh Siew-Tuan, which stayed with him and held true throughout his singing career:
"The winner is incredibly sincere to the music".
Music details:
MOZART: Aprite un po' quegli occhi (excerpt), from The Marriage of Figaro - Teddy Tahu Rhodes (bar), New Zealand SO (RNZ 1991)
HEGGIE: Prelude (excerpt), from Dead Man Walking - Houston Grand Opera Orch, Patrick Summers (Erato 2012)
BIZET: Votre toast...Toréador, en garde, from Carmen - Teddy Tahu Rhodes (bar), Cantillation, Sinfonia Australis/Antony Walker (ABC 746 227)