History
Carlos Mena
Spanish counter-tenor Carlos Mena was born in Vitoria, Spain, where he began his musical education. His early counter-tenor studies included master-classes with Charles Brett. In 1992, he moved to Switzerland to pursue a Diploma in Renaissance-Baroque Music at the renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (SCB) in Basel. There, he studied under R. Levitt and René Jacobs, and participated in master-classes led by Emma Kirkby, among others. Mena also explored medieval music with D. Vellard and developed an interest in opera, earning his diploma in 1997.
A Rising Star in Early Music
Recognized as a significant voice among the new generation of counter-tenors, Carlos Mena captivates audiences with the emotional depth of his voice, the quality of its range, and his nuanced, intelligent interpretations. As a soloist, he collaborates with several prominent ensembles, including Al Ayre Español, Ensemble Gilles Binchois, Il Seminario Musicale, Ricercar Consort, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrion XXI, and Orphenica Lyra.
International Acclaim and Diverse Repertoire
Through his work with these ensembles, Carlos Mena has performed internationally at prestigious venues such as the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Palau de la Música in Barcelona, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Staatsoper in Berlin, Chapelle Royale in Versailles, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Concert Hall, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Alice Tully Hall in New York City, and Sakura Hall in Tokyo. His discography includes recordings for labels such as Decca, Accord, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Glossa, and Alia Vox. Mena also demonstrates a keen interest in 20th-century repertoire, exploring works by composers like Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Carl Orff, Luis de Pablo, Leonardo Balada, and Antón García Abril.
Performance and Academic Contributions
In 1997, Carlos Mena took on the role of Orfeo in Gluck's opera *Orfeo ed Euridice* at the Teatro Guaíra in Brazil. He has also shared his expertise by teaching courses in early music at the University of Salamanca.
Discography
