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.

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.

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

...that moment when you applaud with standing ovations although you're just watching in your living room at home....😊

Perfection!!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

Simply STUNNING! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

This birthday tribute included many great singers and performers. Then, near the end, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sang. She did not set the bar, she is the BAR.

Absolutely stunning , beautiful performance by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Absolute VOCAL PERFECTION!!!! BRAVO 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

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.

What an incredible version, absolutely beautiful

Thank you, Dame Kiri, for all you have given us.

a true vocal masterclass. that was everything and more.

Beautiful voice and beautiful lady!

what a wonderful performance by Dame Kiri

Breath taking, sends goose pimples right through me. Thank you so much Dame Kiri

Such a great songbird

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.

I love Kiri and her wonderful voice. Brasil 2019

Amazing, I've been listening to the song for years, goosebumps every time

I think this version is far superior to the one that eventually ended up in the Phantom sequel.

Exquisite. And so moving!

Such a powerful voice, whenever I heard this song or the Love Never Dies version by others, tears roll.

She’s the best in my book! Love her and saw her in person once 10 years ago!

Lord Loyd Webber composed this song for Dame Kiri

Brava! Very beautiful voice!

One of the greatest of the last century, I hope the new ons listen and learn

I love how she get's that great high note in at the end of 'happy birthday' lol

the other performers in this think they can sing but only kiri knows she can no body to touch her

Spectacular! The song combines the best of Kiri’s talents - her ease in the pop style, combined with her soaring soprano voice.

Absolutely stunning.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is the legend.

Gorgeous lady Gorgeous voice

This song has been playing in my head the past two days… I finally have time to sit down and listen to the legend!

So Amazingly Wonderful! 😊😊😊

My Grandma recently passed away, this was one of her favourite songs

I was surprised to learn Love Never Dies was a reincarnation of this! Very cool!

What a magnificent beautiful voice and her diction was suberb

Have had absolute privilege of seeing Dame Kiri sing in concert 3 times, the last one in my beloved Tassie. No words to describe how magnificent Dame Kiri is. THANK YOU.

Magnificent!!!!!

most beatiful note (absolute perfection): 4:56

I love her voice and I love this song!

So beautiful 😍

Until I die there's only you... Everlasting love... My love for you!

That happy birthday song really made my day!!!

Beautiful Lady, God given voice......!

So beautiful, thank you Kiri

Our Kiri - we are so proud of her - she captured the World with her stunning voice - I am so amazed at the many Artisans a tiny little country like New Zealand produces.

This song for me is a tear-jerker..... but so beautifully sung by this gracious opera singer...!!!! Bravo...!!!!

Exquisite!! I am vibrating with emotion here! And in tears....so lovely!

This is how it’s done, stunning

Dame is privilege.. all participans should be grateful. Expression, nuances 🍀🌟💙🎭🌹😩😭😘 bravi tutti

Just stumbled upon this wonderful video. Kiri is part of a very small group of "opera" singers that can sell popular music. No hearvy portamento and scooping, just pure dedication to the written note. I can name Eileen Farrell, Eleanor Steber, Helen Traubel, and Dawn Upshaw as discrete members of this special club. Brava Dame Kiri!

Maravilhosa. Esta música é uma verdadeira declaração de amor sob a mágica música de Webber.

"The Heart Is Slow To Learn" The heart is slow to learn The heart is slow to learn These feelings that I feel Are foolish but they're real I'm wise enough to see This love will never be And each day's like the last, When living in the past I know it's mad and you won't return But then, as I have said, The heart is slow to learn I'll live alone, as I have loved you Why is love cruel? I wish I knew! Say what you will, it doesn't matter Until I die, there's only you Until I die, there's only you The heart is slow to learn, The heart is slow to learn You'd think there'd be a way To shut out yesterday Perhaps if I just thought Of all the times we fought I've tried all that but no There's just no letting go I know it's mad and you won't return But then, as I have said, The heart is slow to learn Why is love cruel? I wish I knew! Say what you will, It doesn't matter Until I die there's only you Until I die there's only you Why is love cruel? I wish I knew! Say what you will It doesn't matter Until I die there's only you Until I die there's only you. The Heart Is Slow to Learn

She...owns the Music...

Wow!!! So beautiful!!! By the way, Dame Kiri looks like a million bucks!!!

I just wished that she sung Love Never Dies! I know that this was in 1998 but imagine her singing Love Never Dies. With that voice and that heartbreaking lyrics will really be magical!

Beautiful voice from Newzland

Will say it again so beautiful I really adore this song 🎵 ❤️

Out Of This World.....♥♥♥

magnificent/////

I still remember seeing this with my grandparents as a teen and I cried so much. Being obsessed with the phantom... this was such a treat and still is xx stunning

Maravillosa voz, y bellísima canción

This song’s lyrics are so much better than Til I Hear You Sing Once More!!

Love her voice so much, thank for your post.

I love Kiri. Even her half voice is so beautiful to hear.

What a true in voice of that madame! Commplimenti!

I love the lyrics to this piece so much better than the ones Webber decided to go with. too bad

Effortless perfection.

Agradeço por ter compartilhado, voz espetacular.

I came here after watching Andrew "Lloyd Webber's Royal Albert Hall Celebration" from the channel The Shows Must Go On.

I love her voice so much. She is so fantastic a singer znd performer. I wish I could listen to her allways.

Beauty. Thanks.

Kiri is the best!! I love you sweetheart!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙃🙃🙃🙃

Thank you Edith for introducing me to her. The New Zealand songbird we call her.

A queen!!!!

Amazing voice!!!

When class , talent and skill is all that’s needed. Just the music and the voice. Glad I’m seeing good comments. Not everyone is dumb. Phew

Kiri sang this beautiful and stunning song in 1998 at Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday party. 12 years later the music was re-used for the musical "Love Never Dies", but they completely changed the lyrics. I always preferred Kiri's version, all versions from "Love Never Dies" sound like cheap covers compared to Kiri

Fantastic!

brava.

Bravo! 👋

This is the far superior version. I had seen this before I saw the sequel play and I was blown away that he would have changed it from this magnificent version... the official version's lyrics feel almost camp to me by comparison.

For other Dame Kiri fans I recommend also hearing her sing Und Ob die Wolke from Der Freischütz. You won’t be sorry! I adore her so!

You're wonderful ❣️ I have your autograph when you came to Lisbon

THIS song should never had been replaced in the musical!! 😡