Kiri Te Kanawa
Good as your Last Performance
You are only as
On the eve of her receipt of the Kea Iconic New Zealander of the Year Award we caught up with the supposed 'retired' Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. She shows no sign of slowing down!
"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
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