A crowd of more than 3000 attended the 15th annual event, some travelling from as far as Texas in the US.

Fine music and a magnificent outdoor setting framed by towering ghost gums at the La Trobe campus, created a treat for all the senses.

Soprano Yvonne Kenny and former bricklayer turned opera singer Rosario La Spina, captured the crowd with favourites by greats Puccini, Verdi and Bizet.

Ms Kenny, dressed in brilliant tangerine, presented a spirited rendition of The Gypsy Air and Dance from Carmen and the much loved Vilia from The Merry Widow, earning great applause.

La Spina sang the spine-tingling Nessun Dorma from Turandot, which earned calls of bravo from an appreciative audience, as did In the Depths of the Temple from The Pearl Fishers.

Conductor Guy Noble entertained the crowd with his sense of humour and easy banter, encouraging all to join in for choruses.

Noble conducted the impressive Alpha Sinfonia Orchestra from Melbourne, which opened the concert with the overture from Rossini’s Barber of Seville.

Musicians showed professionalism as they battled moths and insects attracted by the stage lights throughout the night.

Accolades must go to the 26 members of the Opera Scholars Australia program, a group of young singers, who spent last week in Beechworth attending master classes with Ms Kenny, the new patron of Opera in the Alps, and former American opera singer and now Albury resident Patti Graetz.

They showcased their talent performing the Easter Hymn with soloist Rosemary Ball, and 2011 Scholar of the Year finalist Kate Amos provided an entertaining rendition of Quel guardo il cavaliere from Don Pasquale.

Opera scholars Nicholas Jones, Nathan Lay and Jeremy Kleeman set hearts a-flutter with their performance of the Neopolitan Medley.

The 100-voice choir including Border singers was also outstanding, with its performance including O?Fortuna from Carmina Burana.

Director of Australian Music Events Graeme Wall, who is in need of a major sponsor for next year’s event, said it was a great night and he was relieved the rain had stayed away.

It was a sentiment echoed by music lovers Mandy and Simon Wright from Melbourne, who threw in umbrellas and raincoats, just in case.

“We’d come no matter what the weather, it is always a spectacular night and something different — it really is special and there’s nothing quite like it,” Mrs Wright said.