Interview: Dame Malvina Major

Dame Malvina Major’s indomitable spirit has seen her performing arts foundation through to its 21st anniversary, helping many young stars along the way – and saving singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes from a career in accountancy.

By Cheryl Pearl Sucher In Classical

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23rd June, 2012

Interview

In 1991, Dame Malvina Major’s storied operatic life was struck by sorrow. Her beloved husband, Winston Fleming, a Taranaki farmer she married over the protests of her parents (he was Catholic, she was Presbyterian), had suddenly died of cardiac arrest. Major, who was elevated to New Zealand’s highest honour earlier this month when she was appointed to the Order of New Zealand in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, and later this month celebrates the 21st anniversary of her performing arts foundation with a gala concert, admits she got married for a bit of security. Catapulted to national fame ...

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