Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Ian Howell is a renowned countertenor in the world of classical music. Born in 1979 in the United States, Howell grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a professional trumpet player, and his mother was a music teacher. From a young age, Howell showed a keen interest in music and began singing in his church choir. Howell's formal music education began at the University of Michigan, where he studied vocal performance. During his time at the university, Howell discovered his talent for singing in the countertenor range. He was encouraged by his professors to pursue this unique vocal style, and he began to focus his studies on developing his countertenor voice. After completing his undergraduate degree, Howell went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. During his time at the conservatory, Howell had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected vocal coaches and conductors in the world of classical music. Howell's career as a professional countertenor began in earnest in the early 2000s. He quickly gained a reputation for his powerful and expressive voice, and he was soon in demand as a soloist with some of the most prestigious orchestras and opera companies in the world. One of Howell's most notable performances came in 2005, when he was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the National Symphony Orchestra's celebration of the music of Handel. Howell's performance of Handel's "Ombra mai fu" was met with critical acclaim, and it helped to establish him as one of the leading countertenors of his generation. Over the years, Howell has continued to perform with some of the most respected orchestras and opera companies in the world. He has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the London Symphony Orchestra, among others. In addition to his work as a soloist, Howell is also an accomplished ensemble singer. He has performed with some of the most respected choral groups in the world, including the Tallis Scholars, the Gabrieli Consort, and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Throughout his career, Howell has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a countertenor. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Richard F. Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation. This grant is awarded annually to young artists who show exceptional promise in their field. In 2010, Howell was awarded the Handel Prize by the London Handel Festival. This award is given to artists who have made a significant contribution to the performance and understanding of Handel's music. In addition to his work as a performer, Howell is also a respected educator and vocal coach. He has taught at some of the most respected music schools in the world, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Howell is also a prolific recording artist. He has released several albums of classical music, including a critically acclaimed recording of Handel's "Messiah" with the Gabrieli Consort and Players. In recent years, Howell has become increasingly interested in exploring the intersection of classical music and popular culture. He has collaborated with a number of contemporary musicians and producers, and he has performed at several music festivals that feature a mix of classical and popular music.

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