Malvina Major
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Dame Malvina Major ONZ GNZM DBE |
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | Malvina Lorraine Major |
| Born | 28 January 1943 |
| Origin | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Genres | Classical, opera |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, teacher |
| Years active | 1965–present |
Dame Malvina Lorraine Major ONZ GNZM DBE (born 28 January 1943) is a New Zealand opera singer.
She was born in Hamilton, New Zealand into a large musical family. As a child she performed at various concerts, singing mainly country and western pop and music from the shows. She received her first classical training in 1955, from Sister Mary Magdalen at Ngaruawahia, north of Hamilton. Sister Febronie continued with her voice training and Sister Liguori gave her piano tuition. As her potential blossomed, Major began travelling weekly to Ponsonby in Auckland, where she received further tuition from Dame Sister Mary Leo at St Mary's College Music School. Sister Mary Leo was internationally recognised as one of the great music teachers, and she later taught another famous New Zealand soprano, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Major later moved to England for further study at the London Opera Centre under the guidance of renowned teacher Ruth Packer.
Her successes include winning the 1963 New Zealand Mobil Song Quest beating Te Kanawa who placed second (Dame Kiri later won the 1965 contest). She also won the Australian Melbourne Sun-Aria in 1965, and the prestigious London based Kathleen Ferrier Award in 1966. Malvina later performed in international concerts including a BBC concert broadcast in London, an outdoor concert at the pyramids in Egypt with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, and a charity concert for Vera Lynn in London. She has performed more than 30 opera roles in their original languages. She has recorded numerous records and CDs.
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