This older CD of great songs and Arias was issued back in August, 2010. It contains wonderful performances by Ms. Te Kanawa.
CD 1 is a collection of amazing arias from many different Mozart Operas. Each of these is a gem of its own.
The second CD is devoted to the music of Richard Strauss. We hear one of Ms. Te Kanawas great interpretations of Strauss’ “Four Last Songs”. She also sings selections from many Strauss Operas, and a series of Strauss’ songs with orchestra.
Kiri Te Kanawa was born 6 March 1944 in Gisborne, New Zealand, and during her active career brought immeasurable pleasure with her singing to a huge set of listeners world – wide. I always perceived her as a down to earth, hard-working musician, with a fantastic voice, eager and open to work with a great variety of other musicians, conductors and accompanists.
Here is one of my favorite recordings by Ms. Te Kanawa: It is a rehearsal with Sir Georg Solti in which the four last songs are being prepared for performance:
