HIGHLIGHTS
- Internationally renowned opera singer
- Covent Gardens Opera House 30 years association as a principle opera singer
- Sang Handel’s ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana
- To mark the New Year 2000 celebrations, Dame Kiri sang from the first place in the world to see the sun rise on the year 2000 – the coastline of her home town Gisborne – in a live telecast to over 80 countries
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the world’s finest soprano singers.
Her favourite composers are Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Handel and Puccini.
She was considered a talented actress on stage portraying princesses, nobility and royalty.
In the latter part of her career Te Kanawa frequently performed in concert and recital, gave masterclasses, and supported young opera singers in launching their careers.
In November 2019, the ASB theatre, Auckland in the Aotea Centre was renamed the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in acknowledgement of the work she has done on the world stage and to celebrate her 75th birthday.
Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation
The legendary opera star supports young singers. She founded the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation with the vision “that talented young New Zealand singers and musicians with complete dedication to their art may receive judicious and thoughtful mentoring.’
She retired in 2017.
