Dame Kiri Retires - Again

Back in the 2007-2008 season, Opera Tampa was blessed to have Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in concert at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. It was a sold-out concert that was promoted as a "farewell performance."

I joked that Dame Kiri was saying farewell to her audiences in much the same way Cher says farewell. Meaning of course, mark your retirement from performing, by coming out of retirement and performing, thereby symbolically stating that you will be retiring from performing.

Clear as mud. It seems that is exactly what Dame Kiri is doing - again.

I don't blame her. When you've had a career like Dame Kiri's, leaving the stage must be a difficult process.

We wish her the very best and know that she will be incredible in her upcoming performances, just like she was here at TBPAC.

Meanwhile, speaking of divas (lousy segue, I know) - Renee Fleming tickets go on sale on Aug. 23. Her concert is Jan.26 and is sure to be incredible!

-Kari G.

He’s no Kiri Te Kanawa

I had no idea that Dr. Drew, the dreamy therapist who is well known for his syndicated radio show “Lovelines,” sings opera. Maybe not on par with Placido or our own Sherrill Milnes, but considering he’s going a capalla and he’s actually a licensed sex therapist, I’ve heard worse. And his serenade of “The Street Where you Live” to the macaw is really, um, touching?

- Kari G.

Kiri Te Kanawa - Staying Warm this Winter/Summer

After opera legend Dame Kiri Te Kanawa visits sunny Florida in Feb. (she performs for Tampa in the Carol Morsani Hall on Feb. 9), she’s going to make sure that her creamy voice doesn’t feel any harsh winter winds. On Feb. 16 she will be performing in her homeland of New Zealand for their summer program “Opera in the Park.”

Other side of the world – its summer there. Might be obvious to you – but it’s Monday morning and that one took me a second.

But, just like her concert here tickets are going to move fast for the Opera in the Park engagement and promoters there are saying, “Buy fast!”

You can do the same when Dame Kiri tickets go on sale Dec. 2.

- Kari G.

Dame Kiri to perform for the Queen – again

Like singing at the wedding of Charles and Diana, and becoming a Dame and performing for the Queen countless times wasn’t enough – Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will perform for royalty again this December at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance gala evening.
She’ll be keeping company on stage with (by request of Queen Elizabeth II) Bon Jovi, Enrique Inglesias, James Blunt and Katherine Jenkins.

Dame Kiri will be keeping us company on Feb. 9, when she performs for one night only in Carol Morsani Hall. Sorry, no corgis allowed.

-Kari G.