Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Carlos Mena is a renowned countertenor and conductor in the world of classical music. Born on December 29, 1973, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Mena grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a choir conductor, and his mother was a pianist. Mena's love for music began at a young age, and he started singing in his father's choir when he was just six years old. Mena's talent as a countertenor was evident from a young age. He began his formal training in music at the Conservatory of Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he studied piano, music theory, and singing. He later continued his studies at the Conservatory of Bilbao, where he specialized in singing. In 1995, Mena moved to the Netherlands to study at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. There, he studied with renowned countertenor Michael Chance and conductor Jos van Veldhoven. Mena's time in the Netherlands was a turning point in his career, as he was exposed to a wider range of music and had the opportunity to work with some of the best musicians in the world. Mena's career as a countertenor took off in the early 2000s. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the best countertenors in the world, known for his clear, powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. One of Mena's most notable performances was his rendition of Handel's Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009. The performance was widely praised for Mena's powerful and emotional singing, as well as the skill of the orchestra and choir. Mena has also performed in many operas, including Handel's Giulio Cesare and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea. Mena has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2003, he won the prestigious International Handel Singing Competition in London, which helped to launch his career as a countertenor. He has also won the Spanish National Music Award and the Premio Ojo Crítico de Música Clásica, among others. In addition to his work as a countertenor, Mena is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted many orchestras and choirs, including the Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla and the Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid. Mena is known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians, and his conducting is characterized by its precision and attention to detail. Mena is also a passionate advocate for early music. He believes that early music has the power to connect people across cultures and time periods, and he has worked to bring early music to a wider audience. He has collaborated with many musicians and ensembles to create new interpretations of early music, and he has also worked to promote the work of lesser-known composers from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Mena's contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized. In 2019, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Fine Arts by the Spanish government, one of the highest honors in the arts in Spain. The award recognized Mena's contributions to the world of classical music and his dedication to promoting early music. In conclusion, Carlos Mena is a world-renowned countertenor and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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