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 Oreste
Kirkop was born in Hamrun on 26th July 1923. He was
one of Malta's leading tenors with a highly
successful career in Malta and abroad. Kirkop's
operatic debut was as Turiddu in Mascagni's
Cavalleria Rusticana on 25th February 1945. In the
next five years he appeared in leading roles in ten
different operas and he also appeared at most
theatres of the time with leading Maltese singers
and visiting Italian companies.
From 1950 onwards he sang abroad widening his
repertoire. In 1953 he represented Malta in the BBC's
Coronation Commonwealth Gala and was guest star at
the Hollywood bow. He sang and acted the title role
in the musical film 'The Vagabond King' in 1956.
Kirkop was also principal tenor with the NBC Opera
Company in New York with which he toured major
American cities of both stage and television. In
1996 Oreste Kirkop issued a double CD album
containing 41 tracks of opera and song. In 1997
Kirkop was presented the Malta Society of Arts,
Manufacturers, and Commerce's gold medal.
Oreste Kirkop was born in Hamrun, Malta on the 26th
day of July 1923 and died on the 10th day of May
1998.
He made his operatic debut in Cavalleria Rusticana
at the Radio City Opera House, Hamrun as Turiddu, on
the 24th February 1945. For the next five years, he
appeared in some 60 leading tenor roles. He sung 10
different operas including IL FIGLIO DEL SOLE, a
Maltese opera. This makes Oreste the Maltese tenor
who sang most operas in Malta. He sung in most
theatres of the time with Maltese and also visiting
Italian opera companies. In 1949/1950, he also
appeared in concerts with TITO GOBBI and MARIA
CANIGLIA.
In 1950, he started his career abroad, adding other
operatic roles.
Between 1954 and 1958 he was the principal tenor at
the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London. He was
the first Maltese to be exclusively engaged as a
principal tenor and the first Maltese to sing a
Major Principal role in this Opera House. In 1953,
he was chosen by the BBC to represent Malta for the
"Coronation Commonwealth Gala".
 In
1956 and 1957 he was the guest star at the Hollywood
Bowl Concerts in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
In 1956 he performed the title role in Hollywood's
Musical film THE VAGABOND KING.
Between 1957 and 1958 he was the principal tenor of
the NBC Opera Company, New York. He toured most
major cities throughout the U.S.A while he was with
this Opera Company. He also appeared on T.V shows.
His performances were given in various big theatres
and huge auditoriums where thousands of people could
hear him sing for them, live on stage. He was also
the principal tenor in the first Rigoletto on T.V.
in America in February 1958.
After his successful career, always in leading tenor
roles, he retired in Malta in 1960.
The great music critic Harold Rosenthal, writing in
Opera magazine, had this to say about Oreste: "The
Maltese tenor Oreste Kirkop proved himself to be a
singer of real merit. Good tenors are scarce
everywhere and worth their weight in gold. Not since
Gigli's appearance in Cavaradossi's role, has this
been so beautifully sung."
In 1979, Malta's state radio won an international
competition "Portrait of a Prominent Performing
Artist." feature the career of Oreste Kirkop.
In March of this year, Oreste was honoured by the
Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, by
being presented with its Gold Medal.
Oreste as the Duke in "Rigoletto" at the Royal Opera
House Covent Garden, London. |
