Kiri Ta Kanawa has a very light quick voice. I looked her up to see if she was a coloratura soprano, but she wasn't listed as such. She was also pretty, which as an opera goer (perhaps a chauvinist in this case?) is important. I went to one opera where the soprano was being chased by all these men, and the stage set had her walk out on a long plank that bent under her weight. I had to literally stop myself from gasping. Was that plank going to break? I once saw a Carmen with a soprano who looked like a Carmen and it really helped.
I will check out "The Creation," I've never gotten into oratorio. Bach preceded Haydn and you'd think that I could get into later music if I am into Bach. I bought Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Klemperer conducting, but I never have been able to listen to the entire three records. It's a type of singing I don't respond to.
I will listen to Kiri Ta Kanawa singing Strauss. I keep reading about how good his lieder is, but it's another form I've had trouble with. I've gotten into Mahler's lieder, partly because I've heard it performed live and some themes are also used in his symphonies. I'll look for a version on Qobuz so I can play it on my stereo.
Sorry I mixed you up with @mahgister, thinking he was the one who couldn't get the Callas video. I hope you were able. It's marvelous to watch her sing. From what I've heard, watching her on stage was a big part of her appeal.