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.

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.