Trivia

He retired in 1960.

He was principal tenor of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (1954-1958).

He was principal tenor of the NBC Opera Company (1957-1958).

He sang the role of the Duke of Mantua, in the first telecast ever of Verdi's "Rigoletto" in 1958.

Between 1949 and 1950 he continued singing opera with visiting Italian companies and appeared in concert with Tito Gobbi and Maria Caniglia.

In 1954, Kirkop made his Covent Garden debut as the Duke in Rigoletto and later as Rodolfo in La Bohème. A contract with Paramount Pictures led to the leading role of François Villon in the 1956 film version of The Vagabond King.

On 4 August 1956 he performed at the Hollywood Bowl Concert in Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Roger Wagner Chorale under the direction of Carmen Dragon.

He sang opera at Las Vegas and the Hollywood Bowl and appeared on NBC TV in pioneering productions of Madame Butterfly, La traviata and Rigoletto.

In 1948, he met Maltese baritone Joseph Satariano who encouraged him to start an opera career in the UK.

He took lessons from Maltese tenor Nicolo Baldachino.

Oreste Kirkop was a Maltese singer. He started to realise his singing capabilities while singing in the shelters during wartime.

Oreste made his operatic debut on 25 February 1945 as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Radio City Opera House in Hamrun (Malta).

In 1950 he moved to the United Kingdom and sang principal tenor roles with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, later with Sadler's Wells (1952) singing Turiddu, Mario Cavaradossi, and Rodolfo in Luisa Miller.

His retirement was mainly due to heart problems after being told by doctors that he might die on stage if he continued his singing career after the age of 40.

He appeared on BBC TV as Canio in Pagliacci.