Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, born Claire Mary Teresa Rawstron in 1944 in Gisborne, New Zealand, became one of the most celebrated opera stars of her generation, known for her acting ability and beautiful soprano voice. Praised for her Mozart and Richard Strauss roles, she gained international fame with a performance at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Throughout her career, Te Kanawa's repertoire expanded to include various genres beyond classical music, and she received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gramophone Classical Music Awards in 2017.

Te Kanawa's journey to stardom began with a win at the 1965 Mobil Song Quest, leading to studies in London and a successful recording career. Her debut at Covent Garden in the early '70s marked the start of a prolific opera career, with notable performances in works by composers such as Mozart, Verdi, and Richard Strauss. Beyond her operatic achievements, Te Kanawa's legacy includes establishing the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation to support young musicians and continuing to inspire through teaching and mentoring until her retirement in 2017, marked by the renaming of Auckland's ASB Theatre to the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in her honor.