Kiri Te Kanawa

On the eve of her receipt of the Kea Iconic World Class New Zealand Award we caught up with the supposed ‘retired’ Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. She shows no sign of slowing down!
By Farida Master

“My life is a minefield,” is how the 68-year-old, going-on-48, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa describes the unbelievable pace at which she leads her life. Though she announced her retirement two years ago, there is no indication of the legendary soprano taking a breather. A look at her schedule is enough to mortify a mere mortal. It’s as if the world renowned opera singer has mastered the fine art of pushing her boundaries in pursuit of excellence. “I’m not sure many people would like to lead my life,” she says adeptly, pushing aside any paeans of praise that come her way. 

For a quintessential diva who has reached the zenith of her career, Dame Kiri refuses to dwell on her phenomenal success. “For me it’s just a matter of a job well done,” she says, giving an insight into how she deals with the heady cocktail of fame and fortune, topped with success. “I look at it as moving from one well done job to another. I don’t believe in resting on my laurels,” she says shrugging off the milestones that could cover reams of paper. “I remember a friend once saying, ‘You are only as good as your last performance’.”

Though in her case her sterling performances spanning over 47 years have consistently raised the bar, and she continues to impress the elevated and exalted all over the globe.  After all how many world class singers have dazzled 650 million viewers with a rendition of Handel’s, ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’ at the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana? Or sung a tribute to the Queen at the opening ceremony of the 18th Commonwealth Games? But ask Dame Kiri of any vivid memory of the royal wedding and she brushes it off with typical Kiwi modesty saying, “It was akin to a car crash. I don’t remember anything! I have amnesia. All I remember is that I had about eight different performances around the same time and I kept worrying that I didn’t have enough time to rehearse,” she recounts, subtly challenging the notion of success.