  g(11696700)a(1393595))
| Kirkop Oreste | | tenore
[ 1923 - 1998 ]
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| Oreste Kirkop was born at Hamrun, Malta on July 26, 1923. Discovered and trained by Nicolo' Baldacchino, Oreste made his operatic debut on February 24, 1945 as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana. He continued singing opera with visiting Italian companies and appeared in concert with Tito Gobbi and Maria Caniglia. His artistic star rose speedily beyond Malta's shores. In 1950 he moved to the UK and sang principal tenor roles with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, later with Sadlers Wells (1952) singing Turiddu, Cavaradossi (Tosca), and Rodolfo in Luisa Miller. The Opera Magazine of May 1953 in its review by Harold Rosenthal reported: "He is one of the best Cavaradossi heard since before the war and I can honestly say that not since Gigli's appearance in this part in 1938-39 have I heard the last act music so beautifully sung."@He appeared on BBCTV as Canio in I Pagliacci. In 1954 Kirkop made his Covent Garden debut as the Duke in Rigoletto and later as Rodolfo in La Boheme. The leading UK papers hailed his vocal talent and stage appearance and superb technique.@ @A contract with Paramount films led to a leading role in 'The Vagabond King'. Among the first to sing straight opera in Las Vegas between 1956-58, Oreste found new audiences and adulation through an exclusive contract with the NBC Opera Company with whom he visited fifty-seven American cities, always appearing in leading tenor roles. His engagements included concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and appearances on NBC TV in pioneering productions of Madame Butterfly, La Traviata and Rigoletto.@He was also in great demand to appear on all America's principal television personality shows including "Shower of stars". After three years in Hollywood, Oreste, at his own request, left Paramount Pictures.@ @In 1958 he returned to London and sang Rigoletto and La Boheme at Covent Garden. The Daily Mail of the April 9, 1958 wrote: "One could have imagined at Covent Garden last night that Puccini wrote the part of Rodolfo in La Boheme for Oreste Kirkop."@ @Oreste Kirkop's voice was of a remarkable quality used with intelligence and great artistry. Even when singing at extreme dynamics, under pressure, his voice retained its characteristic glowing beauty. But apart from his singing, he was also a great personality on stage, a rare combination indeed.@ @Oreste Kirkop retired in 1960 and died in Malta on May 10, 1998.@ |
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