Malvina Major

Dame Malvina Lorraine Major (born 28 January 1943) is a New Zealand operatic soprano.

Early life and family Major was born in Hamilton on 28 January 1943, the daughter of Vincent and Eva Major.

In the 1985 Queen's Birthday Honours, Major was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to opera. In 1990, she was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, 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. She was made a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to opera, in the 2008 New Year Honours. 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.

In 1998, Major received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc. In 2008, Major performed a solo and duet with Hayley Westenra on the ChristChurch Cathedral Choir 2008 UK Tour. On 18 March 2011, Major performed in the national Christchurch memorial service at Hagley Park, 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 soprano Amina Edris and tenor Chase Douglas in the Waikato Times Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.

In the 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, Major was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest civilian honour.

The Malvina Major Retirement Village in Wellington is named for her.

Dame Malvina Major Foundation

In 1991 Dame Malvina established the Dame Malvina Major Foundation to promote education through awards and provide training for young New Zealanders in the performing arts. Recipients of the Foundation's annual $50,000 Dame Malvina Major Award include Amitai Pati and Natasha Te Rupe Wilson.

Teaching

Major is listed in 2022 as an Associate at the music programme at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.