Kirkby-Lunn, Louise

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Kirkby-Lunn, Louise

Kirkby-Lunn, Louise, English mezzo-soprano; b. Manchester, Nov. 8, 1873; d. London, Feb. 17, 1930. She was a student of J.H. Greenwood in Manchester and of Albert Visetti at the Royal Coll. of Music in London. While still a student, she made her debut as Margaret in Schumann’s Genoveva at London’s Drury Lane Theatre in 1893. After singing minor roles at London’s Covent Garden in 1896, she sang with the Carl Rosa Opera Co. until 1899. She then gave concerts until returning to Covent Garden in 1901, where she was a leading singer until 1914, winning particular success as Ortrud, Fricka, Brangäne, Carmen, Amneris, Dalila, and Hérodiade. On Dec. 26, 1902, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. as Ortrud, remaining on its roster for the season; she returned for the 1906-08 seasons, appearing principally as a Wagnerian. After appearing with the British National Opera Co. in London (1919–22), she pursued her concert career.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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