Dame Malvina Major was born in Hamilton,New Zealand. After winning the New Zealand Mobil Song Quest and the Melbourne Sun Aria, Dame Malvina went to London to study at the London Opera Centre. She won the Kathleen Ferrier competition while studying at the London Opera Centre.
In New Zealand her singing teacher was Dame Sister Mary Leo, and in London she was taught by Ruth Packer from the Royal College of Music.
Education
She received her first classical training in 1955, from Sister Mary Magdalen at Ngaruawahia, north of Hamilton. Sister Febronie continued with her voice training and Sister Liguori gave her piano tuition.
Major began travelling weekly to Ponsonby in Auckland, where she received further tuition from Dame Sister Mary Leo at St Mary's College Music School. Sister Mary Leo was internationally recognised as one of the great music teachers, and she later taught another famous New Zealand soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa. Major later moved to England for further study at the London Opera Centre under the guidance of renowned teacher Ruth Packer.
Career
In 1966 Malvina later performed in international concerts including a BBC concert broadcast in London, an outdoor concert at the pyramids in Egypt with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, and a charity concert for Vera Lynn in London. She has performed more than 30 opera roles in their original languages. She has recorded numerous records and CDs.
She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)[1] in 1991 in recognition of her contributions to music, and a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (PCNZM) in 2008 for her contributions to opera. This was later exchanged for Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
In 1998 she received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc.
In 2008, Major performed solo and duet with Hayley Westenra within ChristChurch Cathedral Choir 2008 UK Tour.
On 18 March 2011, Major performed in the national Christchurch memorial service at Hagley Park of Christchurch in the presence of Prince William, Prime Minister John Key, Bob Parker, Hayley Westenra, ChristChurch Cathedral Choir, dignitaries, international rescue teams and tens of thousands of New Zealanders.
On 25 February 2012, Major performed with Tenor Chase Douglas and Amina Edris in Waikato Times Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.
In The Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours List 2012 Dame Malvina Major was appointed to the Order of New Zealand. This is New Zealand's highest honour and entitles members of use the post-nominal letters ONZ.