Events & Venues Rotorua general manager, Peter McLeod says ticket sales to date already indicate the Friday 11 April concert will attract the largest audience of any show yet hosted at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre and he says a sell-out show is possible.

“Given that Potts’ Auckland concert has already completely sold out we’re expecting a run on tickets from out-of-towners wanting to come to his Rotorua performance – so local people better be in quick and book tickets if they want to avoid disappointment.”

There is also strong local interest in the classical singer’s choice of guest artist.  On the New Zealand and Australian legs of his first world tour he will be supported by another exciting musical talent, Rotorua’s own Elizabeth Marvelly, who is making ripples on the international music scene.

Paul Potts’ sudden rise to international stardom is a fairy tale rags to riches story. In the space of a year he has gone from being a mobile phone salesman who had given up on singing because of health problems, to become one of classical music's biggest stars. The 37-year-old unknown became an international music sensation last year after winning the Britain's Got Talent reality show with his big operatic voice. His debut album, One Chance, went to number one in 13 countries and now Potts is in the middle of his first world tour.

Mr McLeod described the decision by promoters, Michael Glading and Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, to bring Paul Potts to Rotorua as a “coup for the city”.

“It’s a direct result of our building the Energy Events Centre and a tribute to the quality and reputation of the facility that he agreed to perform in Rotorua. We’re fortunate to be the only provincial city performance by Paul Potts during his short four concert New Zealand tour.”

Paul Potts and Elizabeth Marvelly perform at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua on Friday 11 April. Tickets are available through Ticketek outlets, online at www.ticketek.co.nz or by phoning 0800 TICKETEK.