Beauty may be, as the title character of Samuel Barber’s 1958 opera Vanessa puts it, “the hardest gift to keep.” But some folks manage to keep it awfully well. Just check out the soprano in that role ...

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s life began far from the glamorous world of opera. She was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, where she was raised by adoptive parents. She says her father, who owned a trucking ...

I went with three friends to the Kiri Te Kanawa concert in the Dome Concert Hall, Brighton. We had spent £40 each on our tickets and were excited about seeing Dame Kiri for the first time. Our ...

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa gained legendary status almost overnight, following her sensational debut as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1971. She has since moved ...

All-time classical favourites from the first ever public concert held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Broadcast live on BBC Television, 1st June 2002.