Oreste Kirkop was born in Hamrun, Malta on the 26th day of July 1923.
He made his operatic debut in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Radio City Opera House. For the next five years, he appeared in some 60 leading tenor roles. Between 1954 and 1958 he was the principal tenor at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London. In 1953, he was chosen by the BBC to represent Malta for the "Coronation Commonwealth Gala".
In 1956 he performed the title role in Hollywood's Musical film THE VAGABOND KING.
His performances were given in various big theatres and huge auditoriums where thousands of people could hear him sing for them, live on stage. He was also the principal tenor in the first Rigoletto on T.V. in America in February 1958.
After his successful career, always in leading tenor roles, he retired in Malta in 1960 where he passed away on the 10th day of May 1998.