Malvina Major
Dame Malvina Major DBE | |
---|---|
![]() Major in 2016 | |
Born | , New Zealand | 28 January 1943
Occupation(s) | Opera singer, teacher |
Years active | 1965–present |
Spouse |
Winston Fleming
(m. 1965; died 1990) |
Children | 3 |
Dame Malvina Lorraine Major .
Early life and family
Major was born in Hamilton 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 mainly country and western pop and music from the shows. She received her first classical training in 1955, from Sister Mary Magdalen at Ngāruawāhia, 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 to Ponsonby in Auckland, where she received further tuition from Dame Sister Mary Leo at St Mary's College. Sister Mary Leo was internationally recognised for having some of the country's best known singers, including Kiri Te Kanawa.
In 1965, Major married Winston William Richard Fleming, and the couple had three children. Fleming died in 1990.[1]
International recognition
Major moved to England for further study at the London Opera Centre under the guidance of teacher
In the 1985 Queen's Birthday Honours, Major was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to opera.[3] In 1990, she was awarded the New 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 the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours.[4] She was made a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to opera, in the 2008 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 in 2009.[6]
In 1998, Major received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc.
In the
The Malvina Major Retirement Village in Wellington is named for her.[14]
Dame Malvina Major Foundation
In 1991 Dame Malvina established the
Teaching
Major is listed in 2022 as an Associate at the music programme at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.[17]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
- ^ "Dame Malvina for Alana". Stuff. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "No. 50155". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 15 June 1985. p. 2.
- ^ "No. 52564". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 15 June 1991. p. 30.
- ^ "New Year honours list 2008". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Special honours list 1 August 2009". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Variety Artists Club of NZ Benny Award Recipients". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013.
- ^ "ChristChurch Cathedral Choir 2008 UK Tour". christchurchcathedralchoir.com. 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "With passion". Stuff. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "Christchurch memorial music performers". dpmc.govt.nz. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "Dame Malvina Major – Coming Home". dpmc.govt.nz. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dame Malvina top act for festival". Stuff. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee honours list 2012". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Our Namesake", Malvina Major Retirement Village
- ^ Mather, Mike (9 November 2020). "Top tenor earns inaugural $50K Dame Malvina Major Award". Stuff. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Skipwith, David (20 November 2021). "Kiwi opera star Natasha Te Rupe Wilson chasing career in Europe after winning $50,000 Dame Malvina Major Award". Stuff. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Staff and Contacts – Arts and Social Sciences: University of Waikato". www.waikato.ac.nz. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
External links
Media related to Malvina Major at Wikimedia Commons
- Dame Malvina Major Foundation