Glenn Kesby
AustraliaBiography of Glenn Kesby
Glenn Kesby, an Australian countertenor, was born on September 26, 1970. He began singing from a young age, but it wasn't until later that he started taking his vocal skills seriously, studying with David Parker and Marie van Hove. Before moving to the United Kingdom, he studied under Michael Dale at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. In London, he chose the Baylis Programme at the English National Opera, focusing on music and singing, drama and acting, stage movement and dance.
Professional Career
Kesby made his professional debut at the 25th Handel Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany, where he performed the role of Adelberto in "Ottone" under the direction of English conductor Charles Farncombe. Since then, he has sung several leading roles in Handel's operas, including "Julius Caesar" and Ruggiero in "Alcina" for the Handel Opera Society, "Rinaldo" at Bloomsbury Theatre in London, and recently Apollo in "Parnasso in Festa" at St. John's, Smith Square.
In addition to his Handel repertoire, Kesby has performed roles such as Silvio in "Il pastor fido" with Harmonie Universelle, Cupid in John Blow's "Venus and Adonis," Spirit in Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," Ptolemy in Handel's "Giulio Cesare in Egitto," Arsamene in his own "Serse," Polinesso in "Ariodante," and Venus in Johann Christoph Pepusch's "Venus and Adonis" at Handel House Museum.
Kesby also soloed during the modern world premiere of Mozart's orchestration of Handel's oratorio "Judas Maccabaeus" conducted by John Pryce-Jones, which was broadcast on BBC TV and the American Trio Arts Channel. Other notable performances include Handel's "Messiah" with the Halifax Choral Society, Purcell's "Come ye sons of art away," Mozart's "Coronation Mass" at St. Alban's Cathedral, Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater," Restoration music at the Chelsea Festival, songs accompanied by the lute at Hampton Court, Handel's "Dixit Dominus," Bach's "Missa Brevis," and Purcell's "Welcome to all the Pleasures" at the Shipton Festival.
Baroque Encounter
In 2004, Kesby founded his own musical ensemble called "Baroque Encounter," which allowed him to perform lesser-known baroque repertoire in costumes and a style reminiscent of the original Baroque era. He regularly performs at Handel House Museum in London with other baroque ensembles including Artemis and Hanbarne. His performances have taken place at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as in Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, France, Cyprus, and his native Australia. Kesby's repertoire extends far beyond the baroque period.
Currently, Glenn Kesby resides in the United Kingdom, where he continues to pursue his career as a countertenor.
