Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) lecturer Mark Gasser and CQCM student Kathleen Campbell were put on the spot last month at an eisteddfod performance that lost power half way through.

Kathleen was just 1 page into the song when the lights went out, but impressed adjudicators by continuing to sing her choice of operatic aria.

Similarly, Mark astounded officials by continuing playing the long piece from memory, with no light to read his music.

Despite having had a similar experience in the Purcell Room in London while playing a solo, Mark says playing an accompainment is a different matter altogether.

"The aria Kathleen sang is pretty complicated, but luckily I had looked at it that afternoon and could play it all from memory. I just kept thinking I don't want to let her down, she sang beautifully," said Mark.

Eisteddfod committee secretary Stella Geoghegan said the organisers had just arranged to reconvene the event at the CQCM theatre when the power was restored.

A cheer swept through the crowd as they began exiting the entertainment centre and the lights came on.

Performances continued in the evening after nearly 2 hours in darkness.