John Shirley-Quirk

John Shirley-Quirk CBE (born 28 August 1931) is an English bass-baritone. He was born in Liverpool, England, and sang in his high school choir. He played the violin and was awarded a scholarship. While studying chemistry and physics at Liverpool University, he studied voice with Austen Carnegie. He was a Vicar Choral at St Paul's Cathedral 1961-62. He made his operatic debut in Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1961, and has been prominent in performing and recording the vocal works of Benjamin Britten. These have included the premiere performances of Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi and Death in Venice. The latter part was written specially for him, and involves multiple roles as antagonist to the character...