25 Quotes by Kiri Te Kanawa

I’m completely in charge of my own life now. Sometimes there’s no one there to slap me on the hand and say: ‘Stop being so bullish and bossy,’ and things like that.

I grew up in the New Zealand countryside. We didn’t have television until I was 14, so sing-alongs were our only entertainment.

My energy is undiminished. Someone said to me the other day, ‘Are you retired?’ and I said, ‘Well, I’m just trying to prove that I’m not.’ There’s so many things to do.

When I’m alone at home, I really prefer to listen to Wagner’s orchestral music rather than any vocal music. I find it illuminating not to have to pay attention to voices in the recordings.

I really believe I’ve been a good person. Not perfect – forget about perfect – but just learning by what I was taught and living by my own values. I might have stepped on a few ants – and a few other things as well – but I’ve never hurt anybody.

I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been. As you get older, you have to be.

The word ‘no’ is a very good word in a singer’s repertoire.