Dame KIRI JANETTE TE KANAWA, born CLAIRE MARY TERESA RAWSTRON, March 6, 1944 - is a NEW ZEALAND soprano. She has a full lyric soprano voice, which has been described as ,,mellow yet vibrant, warm, ample and unforced”.
   TE KANAWA has received accolades in many countries, singing a wide array of works in multiple languages dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. She is particularly associated with the works of MOZART, STRAUSS, VERDI, HANDEL and PUCCINI, and has found considerable success in portraying princesses, nobility, and other similar characters on stage.
   Although she now rarely sings opera, TE KANAWA frequently performs in concert and recital, gives masterclasses, and supports young opera singers in launching their careers. She retired from professional singing in September 2017 (i.s.).