Teaching top form

Kiri Te Kanawa, who recently gave a recital at Washington, DC’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also has a speaking role as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in Donizetti’s comedy The Daughter of the Regiment at the Metropolitan Opera in February. As Dame Kiri reduces her performance schedule her teaching activity increases. Five years ago, she formed the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation to foster New Zealand singers. She’s also founding artistic director of the Solti Te Kanawa Accadamia di Bel Canto, a summer program in Italy for young vocalists. And she frequently gives master classes, as she did for members of Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. “Giving lessons is perfect for my voice,” she says. “After six hours, I’m in top form.” Te Kanawa, 65, sums up her own career of four decades simply. “There were many, many sacrifices,” she says, “but I’ve been very blessed in every single way.”