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Biography
Estonian countertenor Martin Karu, known for his captivating performances and exceptional vocal range, graces international stages with his operatic prowess.
Martin, a promising young opera singer, has honed his craft at the esteemed Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, guided by renowned countertenor Andrew Watts. In 2023, he earned his master's degree from the same institution and in 2022 he earned bachelor's degree. Martin embarked on his vocal journey at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music College in Estonia, under the tutoring of distinguished mentors, including conductor Risto Joost and soprano Eha Pärg.
Martin's diverse repertoire spans from early Renaissance compositions to cutting-edge contemporary works. He has graced the stage in Baroque operas, soul-stirring oratorios, and the masterpieces of composers like Arvo Pärt, Leonard Bernstein, and George Frideric Handel. Within his repertoire, you will find sensational compositions such as Bach's monumental works, including the St. Matthew Passion and the St. John Passion, as well as Handel's oratorios 'Messiah' and 'Jephtha,' and the captivating opera 'Giulio Cesare.' These are just a glimpse into works that one can find from his portfolio.
In 2024, Martin debuted with J. S. Bach's St John Passion at the esteemed Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. In 2023, a pivotal year for his career, he made his eagerly awaited opera debut at the Vanemuine Theatre in the iconic role of Giulio Cesare in G. F. Handel's 'Giulio Cesare.' But this is just the latest milestone in his musical journey. Prior to this momentous occasion, Martin held his inaugural solo concert alongside the esteemed Corelli Baroque Orchestra, delivering a mesmerizing performance that included three highly acclaimed cantatas, Antonio Vivaldi's 'Nisi Dominus,' Johan Sebastian Bach's 'Widerstehe doch der Sünde,' and Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Jubilate Domino.' Shortly thereafter, Martin ventured to London to participate in the Baroquestock 2023 early music festival, where he captivated audiences in the role of Argante in a concert rendition of Handel's opera 'Rinaldo.' The preceding year, 2022, marked another significant chapter in his career as he showcased Arvo Pärt's ethereal composition 'My Heart's in the Highlands' at the Music at Oxford festival in England. He also made a debut as Hamor in Handel's powerful oratorio 'Jephtha' before concluding the year with the cherished tradition of performing Handel's timeless masterpiece, 'Messiah.'
In 2024, Karu achieved a notable milestone by earning a place as a semi-finalist in the International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. In 2022, Martin was a semi-finalist in the Handel Singing Competition held in London.
Currently residing in Estonia.
His Cesare possessed magnanimity, empathy, and human warmth - qualities that clearly must characterize this stage figure.
