– The Madrid-born mezzo-soprano will give two recitals at the end of August featuring the programme “De Puentes y Almas”, alongside pianist Miquel Estelrich
Following her summer engagements as Professor of Voice at the Universität der Künste Berlin and at the International Courses Música en Compostela, Madrid-born mezzo-soprano María José Montiel returns to the stage this month with two recitals presenting the programme “De Puentes y Almas”. As she explains, “it is a journey through a selection of the wonderful music that has accompanied me throughout my life, by Spanish, Latin American and French composers.” Works by Ginastera, Ovalle, Debussy, Ravel, Montsalvatge, Guridi and, of course, Manuel de Falla — whose 150th anniversary is being commemorated in 2026 — come together in this programme “to walk an invisible cultural path of unity and fellowship, so necessary in the times we live in,” she adds.
The Spanish singer and voice teacher, based in Berlin since 2019 and Professor of Voice at the Universität der Künste in the German capital, combines her teaching career with an intense performing schedule. On 25 August, the duo will appear at the Nits a Bellver series in Palma, where Montiel and Mallorcan pianist Miquel Estelrich have been giving recitals every summer for several seasons now. “The friendship between us has always led us to make music as if we were breathing as one, and an incredible magic always emerges. We’ve been fortunate enough to perform together all over Spain, across Europe and also in the United States. We’ve known each other for many years and we have a perfect rapport,” says the singer. “What’s more, it’s a great pleasure to return to this beautiful island, where I love reconnecting with its audience year after year,” she confesses.
On 27 August, Montiel and Estelrich will travel to San Sebastián to make their debut with the same programme at the 87th edition of the Quincena Musical Donostiarra. She says she is very “excited” to be returning to the Basque Country, “a land that oozes music from every pore and of which I have such fond memories every time I have performed; I look back with particular affection on performances of Carmen at the Kursaal in San Sebastián a few seasons ago; and I am delighted that the recital will take place at the Chillida Museum, a collaborating partner in the concert along with the Columbus Foundation, of which I am honoured to be an Ambassador, as it allows me to raise my voice to unite music and science by giving love and dedication to children in need.”
In October, María José Montiel — recipient of the 2015 National Music Award (Spain) and a member of the Real Academia de San Fernando since 2023— will return to Berlin to resume her teaching duties at the Universität der Künste. Then, in December, on the 6th, she will give a recital in Abarán (Murcia), where she will receive the town’s medal, the hometown of her father. ◆