Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 26, 1949 in Camberley, Surrey, England

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Emma Kirkby is a renowned English soprano who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on February 26, 1949, in Cambridge, England, Kirkby grew up in a musical family. Her father was a church organist, and her mother was a singer. She started singing at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Kirkby attended the Sherborne School for Girls, where she continued to develop her musical skills. She went on to study classics at Oxford University, where she also sang in the choir. After completing her studies, Kirkby worked as a schoolteacher for a few years before deciding to pursue a career in music. In the early 1970s, Kirkby began performing with various early music ensembles, including the Consort of Musicke and the Academy of Ancient Music. She quickly gained a reputation for her clear, pure voice and her ability to interpret early music with sensitivity and authenticity. One of Kirkby's most significant early performances was in 1973, when she sang the role of Dido in a production of Henry Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas" at the Edinburgh Festival. The performance was a critical success and helped to establish Kirkby as a rising star in the world of early music. Over the next few years, Kirkby continued to perform with various ensembles and record albums of early music. In 1978, she formed her own ensemble, the Consort of Musicke, which specialized in Renaissance music. The group released several acclaimed albums, including "Music of the Gothic Era" and "Music of the Troubadours." In the 1980s, Kirkby's career continued to flourish. She performed with the Academy of Ancient Music, the Taverner Consort, and other ensembles, and recorded albums of music by composers such as Handel, Bach, and Vivaldi. She also began to perform more frequently as a soloist, giving recitals and concerts throughout Europe and North America. One of Kirkby's most memorable performances from this period was her 1985 appearance at the Proms, the annual classical music festival held in London. She sang a selection of Handel arias with the Academy of Ancient Music, and her performance was widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth. Kirkby's career reached new heights in the 1990s. She continued to perform and record extensively, and also began to teach at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1993, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her services to music. One of Kirkby's most significant achievements during this period was her collaboration with the lutenist Anthony Rooley. The two musicians had worked together on several albums in the past, but in the 1990s they began to focus on the music of John Dowland, a 16th-century English composer. Their recordings of Dowland's songs and lute music were widely acclaimed and helped to revive interest in this neglected composer. Kirkby's career continued to thrive in the 2000s. She performed and recorded with a variety of ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the London Baroque. She also continued to teach, giving masterclasses and workshops around the world. In 2007, Kirkby was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music, an honor given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to British music. The award recognized Kirkby's "outstanding contribution to the performance and interpretation of early music." Today, Kirkby is widely regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation.

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