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Biography

Kiri Te Kanawa was born on March 6, 1944 in Gisborne, New Zealand. She was adopted as an infant; little is known about her natural parents.

Kiri studied voice in New Zealand with Sister Mary Leo (later Dame). She became a popular entertainer in New Zealand, appearing on television and in night clubs, as well as in concert appearances, in her late teens and early 20's. Her recording of the "Nuns' Chorus" from the operetta Casanova (J. Strauss II) won New Zealand's first-ever Gold Disk award for the most records bought by the public.

In 1965, Kiri won New Zealand's "Mobil Song Quest", and the Melbourne Sun's "Sun Aria Contest". She was awarded a matching grant by the New Zealand Arts Council for overseas study. In 1966, she enrolled at the London Opera Centre.

In 1981, she sang at the wedding of Prince Charles and Dianna Spencer (Handel: "Let the Bright Seraphim"). She was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982.

Points of interest

• Though a renowned soprano, Kiri's early training was as a mezzo-soprano.
  
• She enrolled in the London Opera Centre as a mezzo.
  
• She can be heard on early recordings singing in this lower voice.
  
• Kiri sang "O mio babbino caro" in a champagne commercial (off screen).

Books

• Opera for Lovers - Charles E Tuttle Co.1996, ISBN: 9810078331
• Land of the Long White Cloud: Maori Myths, Tales and Legends - Penguin 1993, ISBN: 0140345337

Films

• The Sorceress (1994) - title role
• Meeting Venus (1991) - voice of Karin Anderson
  
• Don Giovanni (1979) - Donna Elvira

Career highlights

• Covent Garden debut 1971 - Countess Almaviva, Marriage of Figaro
  
• Metropolitan Opera debut 1974 - Desdemona, Otello
  
• (More to come.)

Note

I have no connection with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, nor do I have access to any personal information about her. The biographical information given here is believed to be accurate; it has been compiled from public sources such as CD inserts.

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