Dame Kiri Te Kanawa 'The Heart Is Slow To Learn'

Dame Kiri singing at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday Gala concert. Followed by everyone singing happy birthday.
The Royal Albert Hall in 1998.

[goyhoipolloi]

Whether this song is performed as "The Heart is Slow to Learn" or "Our Kind of Love" from ALW's show "The Beautiful Game" or penultimately as "Love Never Dies" from the musical of the same name, what remains true is Andrew Lloyd Webber has written a most exquisite piece of music that has, from this very introductory performance, deeply resonated in my heart and soul. No matter what others think or feel about this music, it has made an indelible mark in my heart and is the single most meaningful, important, and powerfully beautiful piece of music that has forever changed my life. Thank You ALW!

[orion]

Her vocal spin, throat tilt and tone are just gorgeously produced. The song is very Puccinian. The entire effect is magical and full of yearning.

[elaineen]

I saw this program on public television. Great performances by all. Yet when Dame Kiri Te Kanawa came on near the finale it was as if the children had sung and now the master is here.

[sheilapaterson]

Perfect pitch as usual. And breath control. Now that's a real opera singer!!!

[frankandmarianhay]

The best rendition of this song by any artist and Dame Kiri is not an artist, she is a legend, beautiful....

[taniagodwin]

I was trained by Dame Sister Mary Leo who trained our Dame Kiri, Opera was unheard of as an International art in NZ at that time. Our Kiri set the magnificent bench mark, but I'm sure she'd pay huge homage to her training. She is wonderfully special.

[billylin]

Before Love Never Dies, there was the Heart Is Slow to Learn. Brava!

[marieharris]

Her voice is so powerful, so pure. I literally feel myself going into another world as she sings.

[aearly]

Glenn Close may have received more rapturous applause at the event, but with this performance Kiri should have left no one in any doubt who is the greatest soprano of the modern era. That last high note in the happy to you shook the cobwebs out of every corner of the auditorium. Breathtaking.

[carolinedaniels]

I do prefer Dame Kiri's voice to Sarah Brightman
She sang without drama so the beauty of her voice came through.

[peterlewis]

I could listen to Kiri singing this wonderful classic all day.

[jbalpal]

Excellent! Nobody could sing this song so beautiful other than Kiri. A great performer either in pop or opera. Thank you.

[clown-cult]

As a little NZ kid I was absolutely obsessed with this beautiful performance. Then imagine my horror at finding a little gem called Love Never Dies years later.

[alexiagabriel]

I've never heard of Dame Kiri until I saw this performance in another video last March. I was mesmerized by her performance.

[denisedalton]

Absolutely stunning, beautiful performance by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

[Magicalmysticalevil]

a true vocal masterclass. that was everything and more.

[emerybayblues]

Her voice is amazing and her tuxedo suit is so fresh.

[indyandnorbert]

Very dignified performance of a beautiful melody, wonderful sentiments, lovely.

[blankacct]

This melody was later used in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies." You can listen to Sierra Boggess sing it. Though this is absolutely the best version of the melody sung.

[tristanhnl]

The video doesn't show the beginning where Kiri walks out, but everyone looks at Kiri respectfully as she walks down....as they should, she is vocal royalty, even if they're not all opera fans.