Dame Carolyn Emma Kirkby, born on 26 February 1949, is an esteemed English soprano who has made an indelible impact on the early music revival and the performance of Baroque and Renaissance music. With a career spanning over four decades, Kirkby is admired for her pure tone, precise intonation, and deep understanding of period performance practices, which she has brought to both live performances and a plethora of recordings that have become definitive for many classical enthusiasts.

Kirkby's discography includes a wide range of repertoire, with a special focus on the works of composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Claudio Monteverdi, and Dietrich Buxtehude among others. Her collaboration with leading early music ensembles and conductors has resulted in acclaimed albums like "J.S. Bach: Matthaus Passion," and her exploration of lesser-known compositions is evident in releases such as "Jackson: Songs, Canzonets, and a Sonata" and "Stradella: Duets." Her contributions to the genre have earned her numerous accolades and honors, including the appointment as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to music. An icon of classical music, Emma Kirkby continues to be a guiding light and a source of inspiration in the interpretation of early music.

Genres

Classical Performance

Classical Soprano

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Latest Release

Sacri musicali affetti, Op. 5: No. 7, O Maria (Live)

Barbara Strozzi•

Jakob Lindberg•

Emma Kirkby

Single - Released November 17, 2023