Birth

:

June 28, 1968

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Bejun Mehta is a renowned American countertenor who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on June 29, 1968, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Mehta grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he developed a passion for music at a young age. His father, Dady Mehta, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Martha Blackman, was a pianist and musicologist. Mehta's parents were both professors at the University of Michigan, and they encouraged their son to pursue his musical interests. Mehta began his musical training as a pianist, but he soon discovered his talent for singing. He started taking voice lessons at the age of 12 and quickly became a member of the Ann Arbor Boychoir. Mehta's voice was unique in that it was a countertenor, a rare type of male voice that is higher than a tenor but lower than a soprano. Mehta's countertenor voice was particularly impressive, and he soon began to attract attention from music professionals. Mehta continued his musical education at the University of Michigan, where he studied with renowned voice teacher George Shirley. He also studied at the Yale School of Music and the Juilliard School, where he honed his skills as a countertenor. Mehta's talent was recognized early on, and he won several prestigious awards, including the Richard Tucker Award in 1997 and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1989. Mehta's career as a countertenor took off in the 1990s, and he quickly became one of the most sought-after singers in the world of classical music. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1998, playing the role of Nireno in Handel's "Giulio Cesare." Mehta's performance was widely praised, and he soon became a regular at the Metropolitan Opera, performing in productions of "Rodelinda," "Orfeo ed Euridice," and "The Magic Flute," among others. Mehta's talent as a countertenor also led him to perform with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He has worked with some of the most renowned conductors in the world, including Sir Simon Rattle, James Levine, and Riccardo Muti. Mehta's repertoire is diverse, and he has performed in operas, oratorios, and recitals. He is particularly known for his performances of Baroque music, and he has recorded several albums of Handel's music, including "Ottone" and "Ariodante." Mehta has also recorded albums of Bach's music, including "St. Matthew Passion" and "St. John Passion." Mehta's talent as a countertenor has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Richard Tucker Award and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, he has won the Echo Klassik Award, the Grammy Award, and the Diapason d'Or. He has also been named a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. Mehta's career as a countertenor has been marked by many highlights, including his performances at the Metropolitan Opera and his collaborations with some of the world's most renowned conductors and orchestras. He has also been praised for his recordings of Baroque music, which have been widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. In addition to his work as a countertenor, Mehta is also a conductor and a director.

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