[1] Born in Nagano, Shirai first trained in Tokyo before settling in Germany, where she completed her vocal studies with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.
The pair have toured extensively, performing repertory from Scarlatti to the complete vocal works of Anton Webern, and have given masterclasses in Europe, the USA and Israel.
[2] Shirai has made occasional excursions into opera, including an admired Despina at Frankfurt in 1987,[2] and has appeared in concert versions of Lucio Silla, Wagner's Das Liebesverbot, and Dukas's Ariane et Barbe-bleue.
[3] Conductors include Riccardo Chailly, Eliahu Inbal, Yuri Ahronovitch, Ferencic and Wolfgang Sawallisch.
[3] 1982 Robert-Schumann-Preis 1996 Großen Idemitsu-Musikpreis 1997 ABC International Music Award 2008 “Verdienstmedaille am violetten Band“ donated by the Emperor of Japan 2010 Bundesverdienstkreuz 2018 “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette” donated by the Emperor of Japan regarding her engagement for the German Lied and culture 2018 Ehrendoktorwürde by the University of Victoria / Canada (Dr. honoris causa)