Dame Malvina Major | |
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.jpg) Major in 2016 | |
| Born | (1943-01-28)28 January 1943 (age 82) Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Opera singer, teacher |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Dame Malvina Lorraine MajorONZ GNZM DBE (born 28 January 1943) is a New Zealandoperasoprano.
Major was born inHamilton on 28 January 1943, the daughter of Vincent and Eva Major.[1] She grew up in a large musical family, and as a child she performed at various concerts, singing mainlycountry and western pop and music from the shows. She received her first classical training in 1955, from Sister Mary Magdalen atNgāruawāhia, north of Hamilton. Sister Febronie continued with her voice training and Sister Liguori gave her piano tuition. As her potential blossomed, Major began travelling weekly toPonsonby inAuckland, where she received further tuition fromDame Sister Mary Leo atSt Mary's College. Sister Mary Leo was internationally recognised for having some of the country's best known singers, includingKiri Te Kanawa.
In 1965, Major married Winston William Richard Fleming, and the couple had three children. Fleming died in 1990.[1]
Major moved to England for further study at the London Opera Centre under the guidance of teacherRuth Packer. Her successes include winning the 1963New Zealand Mobil Song Quest beating Te Kanawa who placed second (Te Kanawa later won the 1965 contest). She also won the AustralianMelbourne Sun Aria competition in 1965, and the London-basedKathleen Ferrier Award in 1966. Major later performed in international concerts including aBBC concert broadcast in London, an outdoor concert at thepyramids in Egypt with theCairo Symphony Orchestra, and a charity concert forVera Lynn in London. She has performed more than 30 opera roles in their original languages.[2]
In the1985 Queen's Birthday Honours, Major was appointed an Officer of theOrder of the British Empire, for services to opera.[3] In 1990, she was awarded theNew Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal,[1] and the following year she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to opera and the community, in the1991 Queen's Birthday Honours.[4] She was made a Principal Companion of theNew Zealand Order of Merit, for services to opera, in the2008 New Year Honours.[5] Following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand government, she accepted redesignation as a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in2009.[6]
In 1998, Major received theBenny Award from theVariety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc.[7] In 2008, Major performed a solo and duet withHayley Westenra on the ChristChurch Cathedral Choir 2008 UK Tour.[8][9] On 18 March 2011, Major performed in the national Christchurch memorial service atHagley Park, Christchurch, in the presence ofPrince William, Prime MinisterJohn Key,Bob Parker, Hayley Westenra,ChristChurch Cathedral Choir, dignitaries, international rescue teams and tens of thousands of New Zealanders.[10] On 25 February 2012, Major performed with sopranoAmina Edris and tenor Chase Douglas in the Waikato Times Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.[11][12]
In the2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, Major was appointed aMember of the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest civilian honour.[13]
The Malvina Major Retirement Village inWellington is named for her.[14]
In 1991 Dame Malvina established theDame Malvina Major Foundation to promote education through awards and provide training for young New Zealanders in the performing arts. Recipients of the Foundation's annual $50,000 Dame Malvina Major Award includeAmitai Pati[15] andNatasha Te Rupe Wilson.[16]
Major is listed in 2022 as an Associate at the music programme at theUniversity of Waikato inHamilton, New Zealand.[17]
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