1 May 2013

Dame Kiri to sing at coronation concerts

5:35 am on 1 May 2013

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is to sing the British national anthem to open a series of gala concerts at Buckingham Palace in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

The New Zealand soprano said on Tuesday she is honoured and thrilled to be part of the festival and to sing God Save The Queen for the monarch.

The concerts will be staged in the grounds of the palace on 11, 12 and 13 July. They will also be broadcast on TV and radio.

"It will be a fabulous event and such a privilege to be in the gardens of Buckingham Palace for the concerts," Dame Kiri said in a statement from Vienna. "I can't wait."

Other performers will include Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Katie Melua and The Feeling.

Also taking to the stage will be the English National Ballet, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures dance company and East London Dance.

The Royal Warrant Holders Association said the concerts would celebrate music of the Commonwealth and Britain's influence on pop since the 1960s.