Kiri Te Kanawa is a musical artist born on March 6, 1944, in Gisborne, New Zealand. She is regarded as one of the best sopranos of her generation. Te Kanawa studied at the University of Auckland before pursuing her musical career in Europe. She made her professional debut in 1966 at Glyndebourne, in the role of Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute". In 1971, she sang the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Così fan tutte" at the Royal Opera House of Covent Garden, in London. In 1972, she was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and, in 1990, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 2000, she was named Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE). Te Kanawa has performed numerous opera roles, such as Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata", Tosca in Puccini's "Tosca", and Susanna in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro". She has also recorded several albums of popular and classical music. Te Kanawa is considered one of the best sopranos of her generation. She was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 2000.

Kiri Te Kanawa - The Holly and the Ivy Extract :

Kiri Te Kanawa - Piae Cantiones - 1582 - Good King Wenceslas Extract :