Kiri Te Kanawa quotes

Kiri Te Kanawa is a renowned New Zealand soprano, celebrated for her outstanding opera and concert performances around the world. Her lush voice and elegant stage presence have made her one of the most respected figures in classical music. She has inspired generations of musicians and received numerous international honors. Here are 14 of her quotes:

When I'm alone at home, I really prefer to listen to Wagner's orchestral music rather than any vocal music. I find it illuminating not to have to pay attention to voices in the recordings.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I'm completely in charge of my own life now. Sometimes there's no one there to slap me on the hand and say: 'Stop being so bullish and bossy,' and things like that.

Kiri Te Kanawa

My energy is undiminished. Someone said to me the other day, 'Are you retired?' and I said, 'Well, I'm just trying to prove that I'm not.' There's so many things to do.

Kiri Te Kanawa

Opera is for a lifetime, not just a minute.

Kiri Te Kanawa

When I perform Strauss, it is as if the music fits me like a glove. My voice seems to lie in a happy area in this music, which is lyrical and passionate at the same time.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I knew that I could be more creative onstage, to state my own case and deliver my own interpretation of the role much more aggressively than in the recording studio.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I never had the influence of any other singer in my music, so I sounded like myself all the time.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I'm more confident now than I've ever been. As you get older, you have to be.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I felt that the studio recording process makes you stand still too long.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I used to suffer from a lot of regret while touring. Regret at having to leave certain places, people and situations, or just a beautiful day.

Kiri Te Kanawa

The word 'no' is a very good word in a singer's repertoire.

Kiri Te Kanawa

I grew up in the New Zealand countryside. We didn't have television until I was 14, so sing-alongs were our only entertainment.

Kiri Te Kanawa