Young Foundation singers help Dame Kiri celebrate milestone
Posted on 18 December 2014
Earlier in this newsletter Dame Kiri made mention of celebrating her 70th Birthday on stage at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden after a performance of La Fille du Regiment. Amidst all the celebrations and tributes from friends and colleagues two singers waited patiently for their chance to give their own tribute on behalf of all the young singers that Dame Kiri and her Foundation have supported. During the function hosted by Rolex the spotlight finally fell on the two Kiwis – Baritones Phillip Rhodes and Kawaiti Waetford stepped forward to sing the Ma-ori war song ‘Ka Mate’ – a polished and dramatic duet which incorporated the haka as a rousing chorus. The hushed audience was in raptures – the Royal Opera House had never heard anything quite like this before. Needless to say Dame Kiri was delighted