Renowned for her pure, crystalline voice and interpretive insight, this soprano is celebrated for her contributions to the revival of Baroque music and her iconic recordings of Bach and Handel.
With a career spanning over four decades, Dame Emma Kirkby is renowned for her versatility and virtuosity as a soprano, specializing in early music. Her extensive discography, featuring over 100 recordings, showcases her mastery of a vast range of repertoire, from the Renaissance to the Classical period.
Born on February 26, 1949, in England, Kirkby was educated at Hanford School and Sherborne School for Girls in Dorset. She went on to study classics at Somerville College, Oxford University, where she developed a passion for music. Her father, Geoffrey John Kirkby, was a Royal Navy Officer.
Kirkby did not initially intend to pursue a career in music. Instead, she worked as a school teacher after graduating from Oxford. However, her involvement with the Schola Cantorum of Oxford, a student choir conducted by Andrew Parrott, ignited her passion for singing. She eventually married Parrott and joined his Taverner Choir, which he founded in 1973.
The early 1970s witnessed a surge in the Early Music Revival, and Kirkby's vocal career blossomed during this period. She collaborated with prominent performers, including Anthony Rooley and the Consort of Musicke, and Christopher Hogwood's Academy of Ancient Music. Her distinctive voice and interpretative skills quickly earned her recognition as a soloist.
Kirkby's extensive discography includes landmark recordings of Italian and English Renaissance madrigals, Baroque cantatas and oratorios, and works by Mozart, Haydn, and Johann Christian Bach. Her 1981 recording with Gothic Voices of Hildegard of Bingen's A Feather on the Breath of God and her 1984 recording of Monteverdi's Selva Morale e Spirituale with the Taverner Consort are considered some of her most notable works.
One of her most celebrated recordings is the 1980 performance of Handel's Messiah, conducted by Christopher Hogwood, which earned her international acclaim. This recording was later named one of the top 20 recordings of all time by BBC Music Magazine.
In addition to her performing career, Kirkby has shared her expertise through teaching. She has taught at Dartington International Summer School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Bel Canto Summer School. Her contributions to the world of early music have inspired a new generation of musicians and scholars.
Kirkby's dedication to her craft has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2007 for her services to music.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dame Emma Kirkby has demonstrated a profound commitment to the preservation and promotion of early music. Her legacy continues to inspire and enrich the cultural landscape, solidifying her position as one of the most accomplished sopranos of our time.
85 Years Old
Founded the Academy of Ancient Music, a renowned ensemble dedicated to performing Baroque music on period instruments, and was a leading figure in the historically informed performance movement.
83 Years Old
Renowned for revitalizing Baroque music with period-instrument ensembles, he founded the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir, recording iconic performances of Bach's cantatas and passions.
79 Years Old
Renowned for his expressive and nuanced performances, this harpsichord virtuoso and conductor is celebrated for his interpretations of Baroque music, particularly the works of Bach and Handel.
71 Years Old
Leading the Berlin Philharmonic and other top ensembles, this renowned maestro is celebrated for his vibrant, expressive performances of classical masterworks. He's particularly acclaimed for his interpretations of Mahler and Bruckner.
Born in 1924
A renowned violinist and conductor, leading the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, he recorded numerous classical albums and scored music for films like "Amadeus".
85 Years Old
A renowned violinist and conductor, leading the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, known for her expressive performances and innovative interpretations of classical music.
92 Years Old
A renowned violinist and conductor, known for his historically informed performances and recordings of classical music, particularly with the London Classical Players.
