Emma Kirkby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emma Kirkby
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|---|---|
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| Born |
Carolyn Emma Kirkby
26 February 1949 |
| Occupation | Classical soprano in |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Andrew Parrott
(m. 1971–1983)Howard Williams
(m. 2015) |
Dame Carolyn Emma Kirkby is a famous English singer. She is known as a soprano, which means she sings the highest parts in music. She is also a specialist in early music, which is music from a long time ago, like the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Emma Kirkby has sung on over 100 recordings, sharing her beautiful voice with the world.
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Emma Kirkby's Early Life and Music Journey
Emma Kirkby was born on February 26, 1949. She went to school at Hanford School and Sherborne School for Girls. Later, she studied at Somerville College, Oxford University. Her father, Geoffrey John Kirkby, was a Royal Navy Officer.
At first, Emma didn't plan to be a professional singer. In the late 1960s, while studying old languages and history at Oxford, she joined a student choir called the Schola Cantorum of Oxford. After college, she worked as a school teacher. But she started singing more and more with new music groups that were forming. This was part of a movement to bring back early music.
She married Andrew Parrott, who started a choir called the Taverner Choir in 1973. Emma sang with this group. Throughout the 1970s, her singing career grew. She became well-known for her solo performances and recordings with other famous early music artists. She also taught music for many years at the Dartington International Summer School and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Amazing Music Recordings
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Emma Kirkby has recorded over 100 albums! These recordings include many different types of early music. She has sung madrigals (a type of song from the Renaissance), cantatas and oratorios (longer pieces for singers and instruments) from the Baroque period, and even works by famous composers like Mozart and Haydn.
One of her most famous recordings is from 1980. It was Handel's Messiah, conducted by Christopher Hogwood. This recording made her famous around the world. BBC Music Magazine even called it one of the top 20 recordings of all time!
She has also recorded many other great pieces, including:
- Handel's Opera Arias
- Bach's Wedding Cantatas
- Handel's newly found Gloria
- Songs by American composer Amy Beach
In the 2000s, she continued to record, releasing albums like Classical Kirkby and Honey from the Hive, which featured songs by John Dowland. She also recorded with groups like Fretwork and London Baroque.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Emma Kirkby has received many honors for her incredible musical talent:
- In 1994, she received an honorary degree from the University of Bath.
- In 1999, listeners of Classic FM Radio voted her 'Artist of the Year'.
- In November 2000, she was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
- In April 2007, BBC Music Magazine listed her as the 10th greatest soprano of all time.
- In 2007, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is a very high honor in the UK.
- In 2010, she became the President of the Dartington Community Choir.
- On January 21, 2011, she received the Queen's Medal for Music. This award is given to someone who has had a big impact on music in the country.
- In 2018, she won the REMA Early Music Award for her career and for helping young early music performers.
- In 2019, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards ceremony.
Emma Kirkby's Personal Life
Emma Kirkby was married to conductor Andrew Parrott from 1971 to 1983. Later, on April 30, 2015, she married conductor Howard Williams.
She is also a co-president of an opera company called Hampstead Garden Opera.
See also
In Spanish: Emma Kirkby para niños
