John Shirley-Quirk was an esteemed English bass-baritone renowned for his versatile performances in operatic and concert repertoire spanning several centuries. Born on August 28, 1931, in Liverpool, Shirley-Quirk initially pursued a career in science before dedicating his life to music. His resonant voice and impeccable technique made him an ideal interpreter of a wide array of musical styles, from the Baroque to contemporary compositions.

During the 1960s, Shirley-Quirk developed a particularly close association with the British composer Benjamin Britten, becoming a regular performer at the Aldeburgh Festival and featuring prominently in many of Britten's operas. His recordings with Britten of "War Requiem" and "The Rape of Lucretia" are particularly noted for their emotional depth and clarity. He was also a celebrated recitalist, delivering definitive performances of German lieder and English song, which are evident in his recordings of Schumann's song cycles and Vaughan Williams' "5 Tudor Portraits." His collaborations with major orchestras and conductors brought forth a distinguished discography, also encompassing major choral and symphonic works like Beethoven's "Missa solemnis" and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 "Babij Jar." Shirley-Quirk's artistry left a lasting impact on the music world until his passing on April 7, 2014. His legacy lives on through his extensive catalog of recordings, which continues to inspire new generations of singers and music lovers.

Genres

Classical Bass

Latest Release

J.S. Bach: Six Cantatas

Johann Sebastian Bach•

Sir Neville Marriner•

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields•

Julia Varady•

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau•

Ian Watson•

John Shirley-Quirk•

George Malcolm

Album - 54 Tracks - Released February 8, 2019