countertenor
& banchieri singers
I was born in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, where I began my studies at Zoltán Kodály Primary School specializing in music. It was there that I was introduced to choral music by DÉNES SZABÓ and became a member of the now world famous CANTEMUS CHILDREN'S CHOIR, which he formed and has directed ever since.
It was his guidance and the love of singing that inspired me to become one of the founding members of the BANCHIERI SINGERS as first countertenor in 1988, following the ensemble-singing traditions of the King’s Singers.
As a member of the Banchieri Singers I won First Prizes, a Special Prize and Grand Prix at several international choir competitions in 1994 AREZZO, Italy / 1995 TOLOSA, Spain / 1996 DEBRECEN, Hungary.
I took part in workshops instructed by REBECCA STEWART, Cappella Pratensis / ALASTAIR THOMPSON, BILL IVES, JEREMY JACKMAN, King’s Singers / SALLY DUNKLEY and FRANCIS STEELE, The Tallis Scholars & The Sixteen. I also recorded many CDs and gave concerts all over Europe and Japan.
In 2002 I started my solo career as a countertenor singing oratorios, church music and baroque opera in several towns in Hungary. My most important performances were: VIVALDI Gloria (alto arias) / HÄNDEL Messiah (alto arias) / PERGOLESI Stabat Mater (alto arias) / PURCELL Dido & Aeneas (Spirit) / MONTEVERDI Orfeo (Hope) / GLUCK Orfeo and Euridice (Orpheus)
Since 2004 I have frequently given concerts in Hungary and Europe with VOCES AEQUALES/ CANTICUM CANTICORUM / DISCANTUS ENSEMBLE, based on the repertoire of renaissance church and profane poliphony. As the PURCELL CHOIR'S countertenor, led by GYÖRGY VASHEGYI, I also gave concerts in several Hungarian towns and in Europe and I have taken part in a large number of TV, CD and concert recordings.
Since 2015 I have lived in Madrid, Spain and worked as a graphic designer. In addition to my job, I sang with LA CAPILLA REAL de Madrid/ CÁMARA AMADÍS / CANT ART / CLARIOL VOCAL ENSEMBLE / LOS AFECTOS DIVERSOS / QUADRIVIUM ENSEMBLE.
As well as the early music I am also interested in singing contemporary music, making theatre performances and recording movie soundtrack.
Nací en Nyíregyháza, Hungría. Comencé mis estudios en la escuela primaria Zoltán Kodály, especializada en música. Allí tuve mi primer contacto con la música coral al formar parte del coro infantil Cantemus Children’s Choir, dirigido por DÉNES SZABÓ. Este amor por el canto me llevó, en 1988, a cofundar el grupo vocal BANCHIERI SINGERS, donde inicié mi carrera como contratenor.
Durante mi tiempo en Banchieri Singers, el grupo obtuvo varios premios importantes, incluyendo el primer puesto con el Special Prize y Grand Prix en competiciones internacionales: 1994 AREZZO, Italia / 1995 TOLOSA, España / 1996 DEBRECEN, Hungría. Participé en cursos magistrales con maestros como REBECCA STEWART, Cappella Pratensis / ALASTAIR THOMPSON, BILL IVES, JEREMY JACKMAN, King’s Singers / SALLY DUNKLEY and FRANCIS STEELE, The Tallis Scholars y The Sixteen. Hice grabaciones comerciales de CD’s, realizando a su vez giras de conciertos en las principales ciudades de Europa y también en Japón.
En 2002, comencé mi carrera como solista, especializándome en oratorios, música sacra y ópera barroca, interpretando obras como el Gloria de VIVALDI / El Mesías de HÄNDEL / Stabat Mater de PERGOLESI / Dido y Aeneas de PURCELL (El Espíritu) / Orfeo de MONTEVERDI (La Esperanza) / Orfeo de GLUCK (Orfeo), etc, ofreciendo conciertos tanto en Hungría como en varias ciudades europeas.
A lo largo del año 2004 trabajé con VOCES AEQUALES / CANTICUM CANTICORUM / DISCANTUS ENSEMBLE el repertorio sacro y profano renacentista y barroco. Como contratenor de PURCELL CHOIR'S , dirigido por GYÖRGY VASHEGYI, hice gira de conciertos y grabaciones tanto de audio como de TV.
Desde 2015, vivo en Madrid, trabajando como diseñador gráfico freelance. En el ámbito musical, canto con grupos como LA CAPILLA REAL de Madrid/ CÁMARA AMADÍS / CANT ART / CLARIOL VOCAL ENSEMBLE / LOS AFECTOS DIVERSOS / QUADRIVIUM ENSEMBLE.
También exploro la música contemporánea, el teatro moderno y la grabación de bandas sonoras.
music to listen to
música para escuchar
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
Földesi Ildikó, Major Olga - soprano
Nagyváti Zsolt - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László - countertenor
Szilágyi Szilárd - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor - baritone
Nagy Gábor - bass
with special guests: Sally Dunkley & Francis Steele
Sally Dunkley (3-6), Földesi Ildikó, Major Olga - soprano
Nagyváti Zsolt, Leányvári László, Szabó Szilvia (6) - alto
Szilágyi Szilárd, Kiss Csaba (6), Magyar Péter (2) - tenor
Szabó Soma, Rohály Tibor, Gyülvészi Péter (6) - baritone
Francis Steele (3-6), Nagy Gábor, Magyar István (2) - bass
Právicz Julianna - accompanist
Nagyváti Zsolt - countertenor
reviews
reseñas
”After The Tallis Scholars’ debut in Budapest, a young man introduced himself to Sally and myself, and gave us a CD made by his own group: a common enough occurence. And yet, back in London the next day, we instantly realised what a rare gift this had been. Enthralled by the sonority and the justness of the tuning and ensemble, by the thoughtfulness and reverence with which this young group, Banchieri Singers, approached the music, I wrote to them to express my admiration.
In fact the singing was so exciting and accomplished that, when they replied by inviting us to give a week long masterclass in Nyíregyháza, I was a little apprehensive; what could we offer such talented people? Well, now that we have visited Nyíregyháza twice, my doubts have evaporated. For we found there a group of 6 young, intelligent, energetic people; each one an accomplished singer, yet appreciative of the fact that in this music, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is the ideal group with whom to study the music, the text, to uncover the mind and intent of composer and poet - for in this music, I believe, everything is accessible to anyone who is willing to search for it.
So together we listened through the keyhole, with Gesualdo, to the breathless urgency of the lovers’ gasps (Sospirava il mio core); we pondered with Mundy (Were I A King) whether high or low birth is preferable, or even death; and we heard in the desert a solitary inconsolable wail, that of Rachel weeping for her dead children. (Vox in Rama) We studied the music, yes, but we also laughed and talked, ate and drank together, were enfolded in deepening friendship, and this gave us courage to experiment, to trust each other, and a sharpened awareness of each others presence, all essential to consort singing.
In short, the two weeks were wonderful, thrilling. Just listen to the vibrancy and vitality of these performances, and I think you will understand my excitement.”
FRANCIS STEELE
former member of The Tallis Scholars, The Sixteen, 2002
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”The performances of the group always means tense musical experience. Their exceptionally clear intonation, equalised sound, wide dynamical, expressive, often humorous performance makes their show entertaining and diversified.”
DÉNES SZABÓ
conductor and director of Cantemus Choir & Institue, Nyíregyháza, 1998
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”I have been keeping track of the activity of Banchieri Singers since their formation. Their musicality, sensivity to compositions, and stylistic confidence from Renaissance choral works to contemporaray music aroused my attention at the very beginning. These most important characteristics have been improving and refining year by year. Their values are accompanied by the joy and ease of singing which characterizes only the best…“
MIKLÓS KOCSÁR
composer
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”A week’s course with the Banchieri Singers turned out to be a lively affair. Their vivacity and sense of humour were always present, and they radiated so much energy that I was never tired - at least until the end of the week, which culminated in a concert at which the whole town seemed to be willing them on to success a quite memorable evening!
Their common background of the Kodály system has stood them in good stead: they listen well and like to make music, not just singers noises. I saw it as my task to encourage this musicianly approach, and to give them some hints on how to make the sounds they wanted without distorting their bodies and voices in the process. We also thought about the interpretation of different styles of music, and about what I can best describe as “orchestration”: when a full group sound is required, or when some voices need to stand out while others melt into the background: how to create a string sound, a double bass or bass guitar or whatever, achieving the maximum effect with the minimum effort.
They learned quickly, as young, intelligent people always do; and their concerts will always give a great deal of pleasure too many people.”
ALASTAIR THOMPSON
former member of the King's Singers, 1997