Kiri Te Kanawa gained legendary status almost overnight after her sensational debut as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1971.  From then, she moved rapidly into the front rank of international opera, becoming one of the most famous sopranos in the world.

Besides opera, she developed as an accomplished recitalist, concert soloist and recording artist, and became one of the most sought after performers in the music world.

Created a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1982, she was invested with the Order of Australia in 1990 and in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours List, she was awarded the prestigious Order of New Zealand.

Dame Kiri now devotes her time to teaching and mentoring the next generation of talented young singers. In 2004, The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation was launched; a charity which aims to give support and financial aid to dedicated singers and musicians and in 2011 she became Patron of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, she was made a Companion of Honour.