Kiri Te Kanawa

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, born Claire Mary Teresa Rawstron on March 6, 1944, is a retired New Zealand opera singer. Known for her full lyric soprano voice, Te Kanawa's talent has been described as mellow yet vibrant, warm, ample, and unforced. She achieved chart success in Australia in the mid-1980s with three albums. Te Kanawa gained international acclaim, performing works from various centuries and singing in multiple languages. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Handel, and Puccini. Towards the end of her career, Te Kanawa focused on concerts, recitals, and supporting young opera singers through masterclasses. Her final performance took place in Ballarat, Australia, in October 2016 before her retirement.