Emma Kirkby

Emma Kirkby, 2007

Dame Emma Carolyn Kirkby , DBE (born February 26, 1949 in Cambridge ) is a British singer ( soprano ). Kirkby is a pioneer in the historical performance practice of early music . Her interpretations of the madrigals by John Dowland and Claudio Monteverdi with the Consort of Musicke   are considered reference recordings in early music.

Life

Emma Kirkby is one of two daughters of the British naval officer Geoffrey John Kirkby and his wife Daphne, nee. Spiller. 1968 Emma Kirkby began her studies of classical philology at Somerville College of the University of Oxford and additionally took singing lessons with Jessica Cash. After that she worked as a teacher for a short time. For pleasure she sang in choirs and small groups. Her preference was for Renaissance and Baroque music .

In 1971 she was a founding member of the Taverner Choir and in 1973 she began her long membership with the Consort of Musicke .

She gave her debut concert in London in 1974 and then specialized in historical performance practice . She made recordings with the Taverner Choir and the Academy of Ancient Music at a time when it was not yet customary to adapt the soprano voice to the instruments of early music. The internationally sought-after interpreter also works regularly with leading baroque ensembles such as the London Baroque , the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Tafelmusik Toronto .

In 2007 Emma Kirkby was knighted by Queen Elisabeth II as " Lady Commander of the Order of the British Empire " (DBE).

In the course of her active musical life (2019), Kirkby has made a little over a hundred records and CDs.

In the 1970s she was married to the conductor Andrew Parrott , who is also the founder of the early music ensemble Taverner Choir, Consort and Players . The lutenist Anthony Rooley was many years in the 1980s Kirkbys living and working partner and she has with him a son.

Quote

“Her uncommonly pure, crystalline voice, deployed with minimal vibrato, her natural declamation, agile coloratura and her sensitivity to words have been widely admired by interpreters of early, Renaissance and Baroque music and have served as a model for many specialists in this repertory. ”

"Her unusually pure, crystalline voice, used with minimal vibrato , her natural declamation, flexible coloratura and her sensitivity for words were widely admired by interpreters of early, Renaissance and Baroque music and served as a model for many specialists in this repertoire."

- The Grove Book of Opera Singers, 2008.

Discography (selection)

- Year of publication, last number -

• A Feather on the Breath of God . Sequences and hymns. By Abbess Hildegard of Bingen . Gothic voices with Emma Kirkby. (1981) Conducted by Christopher Page. Production: Hyperion Records , CDA66039, P1984. Taken at St Jude-on-the-Hill Church, Hampstead . Kirkby participates in the works Columba aspexit and O Ierusalem . Audio clips from Hyperion Records.
• Cataldo Amodei. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Jakob Lindberg , theorbo , arch lute ; Lars Ulrik Mortensen , harpsichord. BIS Records, BIS-CD-1415, P2004
• Aria antiche. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley, lute; Musica Oscura CD 070988, C1993
• Attilio Ariosti : The Stockholm sonatas III. Recueil de pièces pour la viola d'amour, part 2: Pur al fin gentil. Cantata a voce sola con la viola d'amore. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Thomas Georgi, viola d'amore; Lucas Harris, arch lute, guitar; Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann, violoncello. BIS Records, BIS-CD-1675, P2008
• Amy Beach : Chanson d'amour. Emma Kirkby, soprano. The Romantic Chamber Group of London. Production: BIS Records, BIS-CD-1245, P2002
• Dr Arne at Vauxhall Gardens. (1988) Emma Kirkby, soprano; Richard Morton, tenor; The Parley of Instruments, Roy Goodman , cond. Hyperion Records CDA66237, P1988
• Johann Christian Bach : Sacred works. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Markus Schäfer, tenor; L'Orfeo Barockorchester, Michi Gaigg , cond. Cpo CD 999 718-2, P2001
• Bach Cantatas. I've had enough , BWV 82; Move aside, sad shadows , BWV 202; Wedding cantatas . Emma Kirkby, soprano; Taverner Players, Andrew Parrott, Cond. Hyperion Records CDA66036, P1981
• Johann Sebastian Bach : Early Cantatas, Volume 1. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Michael Chance , countertenor; Charles Daniels, tenor; Peter Harvey , bass; Purcell Quartet et al. Chandos Records , CD CHAN 0715, P2005
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas and Concertos. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Katharina Arfken, oboe; Freiburg Baroque Orchestra , Gottfried van der Goltz, violin & conductor Carus CD 83.302, P1999
• JS Bach. De Occulta Philosophia. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Carlos Mena, countertenor; José Miguel Moreno , lute; Glossa GCD P30107, P1998
• Cephalus & Aurora. Lieder and fortepiano music by Georg (Jiri Antonín) Benda . Emma Kirkby, soprano; Rufus Müller, tenor; Timothy Roberts, fortepiano. Hyperion Records, CDA66649, P1993
• Dieterich Buxtehude : Vocal Music Vol. I. Emma Kirkby; John Holloway, Manfredo Kraemer , violins; Jaap ter Linden , viola da gamba; Lars Ulrik Mortensen, harpsichord, organ. Production: dacapo CD 8.224062, P1997
• Dieterich Buxtehude: Sacred cantatas 1. Suzie Leblanc, soprano; Emma Kirkby, soprano; Peter Harvey, bass; Purcell Quartet & Clare Salaman, violin. Chandos CD CHAN 0691, P2003
• Dieterich Buxtehude: Sacred cantatas 2. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Michael Chance, countertenor; Charles Daniels, tenor; Peter Harvey, bass; Purcell Quartet et al. Chandos CD CHAN 0723, P2005
• John Cooper John Coprario: Funeral teares (1606e) : IO thou hast II O sweet flower III O th 'unsure hopes IV In darkness let me dwell V My joy is dead VI Deceitful fancy VII A dialogue: Foe of mankind Emma Kirkby, soprano, in VII with John York Skinner, Countertenor Consort of Musicke Anthony Rooley (Funeral teares / Consort music) Decca CD 480 2299, P1979 (C2011)
• François Couperin : Trois Leçons de Ténèbres. Judith Nelson, soprano (1st & 3rd leçon); Emma Kirkby, soprano (2nd & 3rd leçon); Jane Ryan, viola da gamba; Christopher Hogwood, organ. L'oiseau-lyre CD 430 283-2, P1977
• Couperin - Delalande . Leçons de Ténèbres. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Agnès Mellon, soprano; Charles Medlam, viola da gamba ; Terence Charleston, organ; BIS Records, BIS-CD-1575, P2007
• John Dowland . The English Orpheus. Songs for voice and lute. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley, Lute & Orpheoreon . Virgin Classics CD, VC 7 90768-2, P1980
• Emma Kirkby. A portrait. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, Ltg. Et al. L'oiseau-lyre CD 443 200-2, C1994
• Emma Kirkby. The Complete Recitals : 1. The Lady Musick 2. Pastoral Dialogues 3. Amorous Dialogues 4. Duetti da camera 5. Purcell: Songs & Airs 6. JS Bach: Coffee and Peasant Cantatas 7. JS Bach: Wedding Cantatas 8. Arias by Handel , Arne and Lampe 9. Trade: Italian Cantatas 10. Trade: Italian Cantatas 11. Mozart: Exultate, Jubilate - Motets 12. Mozart: Arias. Contributors u. a. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley , lute; Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood , (cond.). Production: L'oiseau-lyre / Decca CDs 478 7863 DC12
• Maurice Greene . Songs and Keyboard Works. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Lars Ulrik Mortensen, harpsichord. Musica Oscura CD 070978, C1995
• Trade . Opera Arias and Overtures. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Brandenburg Consort, Roy Goodman, Head of Hyperion Records, CDA66860, P1996
• The Artistry of Emma Kirkby. Highligths from the original BIS recordings : Sacred and secular works by Händel, Bach, Böddecker , Couperin, Scarlatti , Ariosti and Amodei and lute songs by Dowland, Robert Johnson , John Blow , Schütz , d'India , Boësset and others BIS-CD- 1734/35
• Trade. Opera Arias and Overtures - 2. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Brandenburg Consort, Roy Goodman, Head of Hyperion Records, CDA67128, P2000
• Trade. The Rival Queens. Opera Arias and Duets. Catherine Bott, soprano; Emma Kirkby, soprano; Brandenburg Consort, Roy Goodman, Head of Hyperion Records, CDA66950, P1997
• Handel: Sacred Cantatas. Emma Kirkby, soprano; London Baroque, Charles Medlam, BIS Records line, BIS-CD-1065, P2001
• Handel - Abel - Arne - Boyce : A Vauxhall Gardens Entertainment. (1989) Emma Kirkby, soprano; London Baroque, Charles Medlam, line EMI CDC 7 49799 2, P1989
• George Frideric Handel: German arias Emma Kirkby, soprano. London Baroque. EMI CDC 7 49256 2 (P1985)
• Georg Friedrich Händel Nine German Arias / Gloria Emma Kirkby, soprano London Baroque BIS-CD-1615 (P2009)
• Trade in Italy: Solo Cantatas. Emma Kirkby, soprano. London Baroque, BIS Records, BIS-SACD-1695, P2008
• Tobias Hume : The Spirit of Gambo. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Labyrinto, Paolo Pandolfo , line Glossa GCD C80402, C2008
• Robert Johnson Shakespeare's lutenist. Emma Kirkby, soprano; David Thomas, bass; Anthony Rooley, lute. Virgin Classics CD VC 7 59321 2, P1993
• Robert Jones The Muses Gardin. Lute songs. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley, lute. L'oiseau-lyre CD VC 7 91212-2, P1991
• Classicist Modern II. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Chamber Orchestra Basel , Christopher Hogwood, conducted by Arte Nova CD 74321 92650 2, P2002
• Madrigals and wedding songs for Diana. Emma Kirkby, soprano; David Thomas, bass; Consort of Musicke, Anthony Rooley, cond. Hyperion Records LP A66019 & CDA66019, P1981
• Montéclair : Cantates à voix seule. Emma Kirkby, soprano; London Baroque. BIS Records, BIS-CD-1865
• Monteverdi. Selva morale e spirituale / Missae et psalmi. Emma Kirkby, Soprano, et al. Barock-Ensemble Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius , cond. Astoria CDs 90032/34
• Sacred vocal music of Claudio Monteverdi . Emma Kirkby, soprano; Ian Partridge, tenor; David Thomas, bass; Parley of Instruments Roy Goodman / Peter Holman, cond. Hyperion Records, CDA66021, P1985
• Emma Kirkby & Evelyn Tubb sing Monteverdi Duets and Solos with the Consort of Musicke. Emma Kirkby & Evelyn Tubb, soprano; Consort of Musicke, Anthony Rooley, lead IMP Classics PCD 881, P1987
• O tuneful voice. Songs and duets from late 18th century London. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Rufus Müller, tenor; Frances Kelly, harp; Timothy Roberts, harpsichord; Hyperion Records, CDA 66497, P1991
• Olympia's lament. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley, Chitarrone . Hyperion Records, CDA66106, P1984
• Orpheus in England. Songs and lute solos by John Dowland and Henry Purcell Emma Kirkby, Soprano London Baroque BIS-CD-1725, P2010
• Johann Pachelbel : Arias & Concerti. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Kai Wessel , countertenor; Jan Kobow, tenor; Klaus Mertens , bass; Michael Maisch , trumpet; Andrea Baur, Chitarrone London Baroque. Cavalli Records CCD 332
• Pergolesi / Vivaldi . Stabat mater / Salve regina. Emma Kirkby, soprano; James Bowman, countertenor; Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, cond. L'oiseau-lyre CD 480 4220
• Henry Purcell Music for a while. Emma Kirkby, Catherine Bott, Elisabeth Lane, Judith Nelson, soprano; James Bowman, countertenor; Martyn Hill, tenor; David Thomas, Christopher Keyte, bass; Taverner Choir, Academy of Ancient Music et al. Christopher Hogwood, cond. L'oiseau-lyre CD 443 195-2, C1994
• Henry Purcell: Songs and dialogues. Emma Kirkby, soprano; David Thomas, bass; Anthony Rooley, lute. Helios CDH55065, P1982
• salzburg baroque. Music at the court of the prince archbishops. Emma Kirkby, soprano. Bell'arte Salzburg , Annegret Siedel , Head of Production: Berlin Classics, CD 0300120BC, P2011
• Sound the trumpets from shore to shore. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Evelyn Tubb, soprano; The English Trumpet Virtuosi. Musica Oscura CD 070979, C1995
• The Queen's music. Italian duets and trios by Giacomo Carissimi , Luigi Rossi , Antonio Cesti and others. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Peter Harvey, baritone; Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann, violoncello; Lars Ulrik Mortensen, harpsichord. BIS Records, BIS-CD-1715, P2010
• Time stands still. Lute songs on the theme of mutability and metamorphosis by John Dowland and his contemporaries. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Anthony Rooley, lute. Hyperion Records, CDA66186, P1986
• Una "Stravaganza" dei Medici. Intermedi (1589) per "La pellegrina". Tessa Bonner, soprano; Emma Kirkby, soprano; Emily Van Evera, soprano; Nigel Rogers, tenor; Taverner Consort, Taverner Choir, Taverner Players, Andrew Parrott , Head EMI CDC 747998-2, P1988
• Vivaldi : Gloria / Motets / Cantatas. Emma Kirkby, soprano; Judith Nelson, soprano; Catherine Bott, soprano; Carolyn Watkinson, alto; James Bowman , countertenor; Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Academy of Ancient Music, Simon Preston , cond. / New London Consort Philip Pickett, cond. L'oiseau-lyre CDs 455 727-2
• Vivaldi: Cantatas, Concertos & Magnificat. Emma Kirkby, Soprano Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra Toronto, Jeanne Lamon, cond. Hyperion Records CDA66247
• Vivaldi: Opera arias and sinfonias. Emma Kirkby, soprano. Brandenburg Consort, Roy Goodman, Head of Hyperion Records, CDA66745, P1994

Awards

• 1997: Handel Prize of the City of Halle
• 2007: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• 2008: Honorary Doctorate from Oxford University
• 2010: Her Majesty's Medal for Music

Web links

• Works by and about Emma Kirkby in the catalog of the German National Library
• emmakirkby.com - Official Site of Emma Kirkby (English)
• Press reviews. In: konzertagentur.de
• Emma Kirkby. In: BBC , with audio samples
• Artist site at Hyperion Records , with audio samples

conversations

• Doris Blaich: The soprano Emma Kirkby for her 70th birthday. In: SWR 2 , February 24, 2019, 78:13 min.
• Patricia Moreno: Summer recapitulation: Emma Kirkby - soprano in the autumn of life. In: SRF , December 23, 2012, 55:53 min.
• Martin Gramlich: An interview with the soprano Emma Kirkby. In: WDR 3 , March 8, 2018, 20:09 min.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Gerhard Dietel: Finest music from the baroque. In: Mittelbayerische Zeitung , July 23, 2011.
2. ↑ Rainer Elstner: Emma Kirkby and the Bach Consort Vienna are guesting at Palais Eschenbach. The prima donna of early music. In: Wiener Zeitung , July 2, 2003: “Fluency of instrumental precision, slim, clear timbre - the soprano by Emma Kirkby has revolutionized the way in which baroque music is to be sung. In 1973 she joined the Consort of Musicke, whose recordings for Decca are today classics of the original sound interpretation. "
3. ↑ Doris Blaich: The soprano Emma Kirkby for her 70th birthday. In: SWR 2 , February 24, 2019.
4. ^ AB Sainsbury: Obituary: Captain Geoffrey Kirkby. In: The Independent , December 1, 1998.
5. ^ Jürgen Gräßer: Music in Franconian castles: Emma Kirkby & London Baroque. In: art5drei.de , July 27, 2015.
6. ↑ Martin Schramm: The soprano Emma Kirkby. Prima Donna - with a difference. In: Fono Forum , July 1996, (PDF; 5.02 MB), pp. 24-27.
7. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Ben Rayfield: Emma Kirkby • Soprano. In: rayfieldallied.com , January 29, 2019, (PDF; 421 kB).
8. ↑ Christopher Hogwood : Emma Kirkby finally created a 'lady'! In: hogwood.org , July 10, 2007.
9. ↑ Pamela Margles: Emma Kirkby: On Behalf of the Music. In: The Whole Note , June 30, 2009: “Then, at Oxford, I sang in the choir at Merton College , because I had married Andrew Parrott, and he ran the Merton choir. It was heaven. "
10. ↑ Lindsay Kemp: Icons - Emma Kirkby. In: Gramophone , March 21, 2016.
11. ↑ Nicholas Anderson, Kirkby, Dame (Carolyn) Emma , in: Laura Macy (Ed.): The Grove Book of Opera Singers , Oxford University Press, Oxford 2008, ISBN 978-0-19-533765-5 , p. 250; quoted from: Arie antiche • Emma Kirkby (performer). In: bibliotheek.be , (English).
12. ^ Queen's Birthday Honors 2007. The full list of the Queen's Birthday Honors. In: Birmingham Post , June 15, 2007, accessed February 24, 2019.
13. ↑ Press release: The Queen's Medal For Music 2010. ( Memento from February 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive ). Press release archived in: The official website of The British Monarchy , January 21, 2011 .