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"...how lovely I thought her solo was, so touching." |
Born in Sussex, Shirley graduated in music at Liverpool University and continued her education with postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Having begun her working life as a Viola da Gamba player, she then switched her focus onto developing her singing voice. Her teachers included Jeffrey Talbot, Alison Pearce, and Arwel Treharne Morgan, and she also participated in masterclasses with Laura Sarti, Graham Johnson, Richard van Allan, and Ian Partridge.
Shirley is currently based in London and works as a freelance soprano. Highlights as a soloist include the premiere of Cecilia McDowall's Through a Glass, Darkly (commemorating the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht) at Westminster Abbey; Handel Alexander's Feast and Messiah, Vivaldi Gloria, and Fauré Requiem for The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn; and Mozart Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields. As a member of the choir of St George's Hanover Square, she has sung as soloist in Haydn St Nicolas Mass and Little Organ Mass, Mozart Coronation Mass and Spatzen-Messe, and Schubert Mass in G .
On the opera stage, she has performed the roles of Papagena (The Magic Flute), Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica), and Midinette, Voce di Sopranino, and Lover (Il Tabarro) for Porcupine Productions.
Shirley has sung in concerts at the London Handel Festival, including JS Bach’s St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, directed by Laurence Cummings. She has worked with the chamber ensemble Exulta Filia, exploring the solo and duet vocal music of Monteverdi and his contemporaries, and has appeared at the Mananan International Festival, and in broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and 4. Other activities include performances at Tudor banquets at Hatfield House, and solo recital work. She is also a member of the choir of the West London Synagogue.
Shirley is currently based in London and works as a freelance soprano. Highlights as a soloist include the premiere of Cecilia McDowall's Through a Glass, Darkly (commemorating the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht) at Westminster Abbey; Handel Alexander's Feast and Messiah, Vivaldi Gloria, and Fauré Requiem for The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn; and Mozart Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields. As a member of the choir of St George's Hanover Square, she has sung as soloist in Haydn St Nicolas Mass and Little Organ Mass, Mozart Coronation Mass and Spatzen-Messe, and Schubert Mass in G .
On the opera stage, she has performed the roles of Papagena (The Magic Flute), Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica), and Midinette, Voce di Sopranino, and Lover (Il Tabarro) for Porcupine Productions.
Shirley has sung in concerts at the London Handel Festival, including JS Bach’s St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, directed by Laurence Cummings. She has worked with the chamber ensemble Exulta Filia, exploring the solo and duet vocal music of Monteverdi and his contemporaries, and has appeared at the Mananan International Festival, and in broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and 4. Other activities include performances at Tudor banquets at Hatfield House, and solo recital work. She is also a member of the choir of the West London Synagogue.
