March 06, 2023
Rhodes first Kiri Te Kanawa laureate
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Māori baritone Phillip Rhodes has become the first Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Laureate, earning him a grant of $65,000.
The Laureate has been established to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation, and it’s the largest grant it has given so far.
Dame Kiri and the foundation have helped guide Rhodes’ career and training over a number of years, since he won both the New Zealand Aria Competition and the Lexus Song Quest in 2005.
He has gone on to perform in sell out productions of Carmen and Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and sing with the Welsh and Scottish national opera companies as well as with companies in Europe.
Dame Kiri says to succeed in the tough, competitive world of opera, a great voice is essential but it also requires tremendous discipline, drive and focus.