Opera legend DAME KIRI TE KANAWA has dismissed rumours she is set to retire next year (10) – vowing to keep on singing until she dies.

The New Zealand-born soprano admits she was left fuming by recent newspaper reports which claimed she is set to take her final bow at the Cologne Opera in Germany in 2010.

The 65 year old is adamant she plans to continue performing, telling Australia’s ABC News, “I haven’t got any plans to die either. I mean that could be on the cards too before I retire.”