Passion and relentless drive fuel a rise through the world of opera for a Crevillent artist led by Manuel Fuentes. After 27 years of dedicated work, the journey is reaching a peak as the finalist stage opens, selected from more than 500 singers representing 58 countries. The Queen Sonya competition, one of the most esteemed vocal contests globally, has been held every two years in Oslo for over three decades and continues to spotlight extraordinary operatic talent.
In the final lineup, 40 contestants will showcase their gifts and vie for the prize between the 15th and 26th of August. The organizers reveal that the final round is a showcase watched by world-renowned judges, including art directors from some of the most prestigious stages such as the Metropolitan Opera House and the Berlin State Opera in Berlin. The level of performance is consistently high, and the competition is known for opening doors to international exposure, coaching, master classes, and professional development sessions that can redefine a singer’s career.
Manuel Fuentes’s success story comes at a moment of intense professional activity. The forthcoming engagements include roles in a diverse repertoire, with a recent appearance in June in Adda, Alicante, where the artist interpreted Colline in La Bohème. Future commitments include Maria Stuart at the Palau de les Arts, Count Rodolfo in Sonnambula, and appearances in Capuleti and Montecchi at the Nancy Opera, among other projects.
Singers pursue more than the prize itself; the journey provides international visibility, coaching, master classes, and a platform for professional growth. This period marks a busy era for the artist, with new opportunities and performances shaping the path forward as the career expands into a broader international circuit.
The talent that even the epidemic can’t slow
Looking back, twelve years have elapsed since the singer began pursuing a vocation that started as a family-influenced passion in Coral Crevillentina. What began as a hobby while studying became a driving force by 2019, marking a clear turning point and the start of a public-facing artistic journey that would gather momentum in the following years.
The artist’s voice matured under the mentorship of a renowned tenor and educator known for shaping many emerging talents. Early experiences in competitions helped establish a robust foundation, and today many audiences recognize a young performer with an expanding repertoire and a growing list of accolades.
Awards
In the year of taking off, the artist earned multiple recognitions. Among them are top prizes at a prominent international singing competition, honoring exceptional performance and Spanish nationality. Other notable honours include a respected national award for singers and recognition at a variety of international festivals and foundations, underscoring a trajectory of growing prestige.
Lyrical singer Manuel Fuentes performing at the Teatro Principal in Alicante
His Madrid debut occurred a few years ago in zarzuela with Fari nelli, a Tomás Bretón work, and his early opera debut featured Ferrando in Il Trovatore at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The artist has also presented significant recitals and concerts, including programs at the Gala commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Gran Teatre del Liceu. After appearances at the Peralada Castle Festival, the artist was chosen as an EFA Young Artist at the same festival in 2021 and subsequently performed at the Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia.