Malvina Major
Dame Malvina Lorraine Major ONZ GNZM DBE is an opera singer, born in Hamilton on 28 January 1943. She is currently Professor of Voice at the University of Waikato.
Major's first classical training was in 1955, from Sister Mary Magdalen at Ngaruawahia. In 1963 she won the New Zealand Mobil Song Quest, beating Kiri Te Kanawa who placed second. She later moved to England and studied at the London Opera Centre. She won the Australian Melbourne Sun-Aria in 1965, and the English Kathleen Ferrier Award in 1966.
Major was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1991 in recognition of her contributions to music, and a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (PCNZM) in 2008 for her contributions to opera. The latter was later exchanged for Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. In 2012, she was given New Zealand's highest honour, being appointed to the Order of New Zealand.
Releases
- To the Glory of God album, 1965
- Songs for all Seasons album, 1970
- Malvina Major (album), 1989
- Dame Malvina in Music album, 1992
- I Remember album, 1992
- Christmastime album, 1994
- Alleluia album, 1996
- Malvina Major with Gerald Moore album, 1998
- Dame Malvina and friends present the music of David Jillett album, 1998
- My Life in Song album, 2009
- Casta Diva album, 2012
- Now sleeps the crimson petal and Quilter appear on the 1963 compilation 1963 Mobil Song Quest
