Biography for
Kiri Te Kanawa

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Kiri Te Kanawa studied voice in New Zealand, where she was a popular singer as a teenager. She enrolled in the London Opera Center in 1966, and had her Covent Garden debut 1 December 1971. Although her acting ability is highly regarded on the operatic stage, she has made few theatrical films.

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Trivia

Is half-Irish, half-Maori.

Wrote a children's book of Maori folktales.

Owns a holiday house at Taupo on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand.

In January 1998, sang the Metropolitan Opera premiere performances of Richard Strauss' final opera _Capriccio_, at the Met Opera, New York City.

In March 1998, at London's Royal Albert Hall, sang the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new song, "The Heart is Slow to Learn," which was intended to appear in the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera (2004).

Her performances of the opera arias, "O Mio Babbino Caro," and "Ch'il bel sogno di Doretta," by composer Giacomo Puccini, were featured in the film "A Room With A View." (1986)

To date, has never sung a full length Puccini opera at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City.

In February 2001, sang her first performances of Samuel Barber's "Vanessa," at the Monte Carlo Opera House, in the principality of Monaco.

She was awarded an honorary A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) on January 26, 1990 for her services to Opera and the performing arts.

She was awarded the Order of New Zealand in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honors List for her services to music.

She was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to music in 1973.

She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982 for her services to music.

Personal Quotes

"The aria has to be in my blood."

"I am a quiet, conservative person who was born to sing."

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