At age 73, Dame Kiri te Kanawa has said she won’t sing in public again.

Dame Kiri, one of opera’s most celebrated stars, says she actually stopped performing a year ago but has held off announcing her retirement until now.

After a career that spanned more than half a century, the New Zealand-born soprano, says she simply doesn’t want to hear her voice any more.

Over the years Dame Kiri has appeared at all the world’s major opera houses and concert halls. She made her name in 1971 when she was cast as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro at London’s Covent Garden.

What turned out to be her final performance was a concert near Melbourne, Australia in October of last year.