Opera legend Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has warned Welsh star Charlotte Church's fame will not last as long as her own illustrious career.

The New Zealander, 60, boasts that she has enjoyed 30 years in the industry, but she fears the teenage sensation will not be as fortunate because the novelty of her "trendy opera hybrid" will quickly wear off.

Te Kanawa says, "The sort of music coming out from singers like Charlotte Church and Hayley Westenra is a hybrid and, yes, it's nice for a while. But where do they go from here?

"Will they have careers when they are 60? I've had an amazing career for the past 30 years. They have their place but I can't imagine either Charlotte or Hayley will have careers for the next 30 years."

12/07/2004 17:18