BASS-BARÍTONO
Born in San Felipe, Guanajuato, Mexico, Manuel Betancourt distinguished himself from an early age with his remarkable voice, winning numerous singing competitions. He pursued formal studies in Opera and Concert Singing at the Conservatorio de las Rosas and later at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico, where he also became a member of the prestigious Ensamble Solistas de Bellas Artes. Recipient of the Plácido Domingo Scholarship from SIVAM and Maestro Domingo himself, Manuel made his international debut in Israel and Puerto Rico, followed by acclaimed performances at many of Mexico’s leading theatres and festivals. After a successful audition for the Zurich International Opera Studio, he moved to Switzerland to perform at the Opernhaus Zürich, sharing the stage with world-renowned artists such as Leo Nucci, Jonas Kaufmann, and Ramón Vargas. He was later invited to join the Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg, France, where he performed in a variety of productions over several seasons. Praised by Unter Emantaler Press for having “a voice comparable to José Carreras,” Manuel continues to impress audiences with his expressive artistry and vocal power. Now based in Budapest, Hungary, he performs internationally, embracing a versatile repertoire that spans opera, crossover, and popular music. His performances blend emotional depth, cultural richness, and charisma—creating memorable connections with audiences around the world.
JAPANESE PIANIST
Narihito Mukeda is a versatile pianist with a vast repertoire and a creative, distinctive sense for crafting compelling programs. His performances are celebrated for their musical, intellectual, and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. He performs the classical repertoire from Bach to Tchaikovsky with virtuosity, and is equally sought after as an ensemble musician and accompanist, admired for his ability to forge profound musical connections on stage. Born in 1987 in Japan, Mukeda won several piano competitions before moving to Europe, graduating as a solo pianist from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest in 2015. He has since performed widely in Europe and Japan, collaborating with distinguished artists such as Berliner Philharmoniker clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs, Budapest Festival Orchestra cellist Péter Szabó, Emmy-winning violinist Vilmos Oláh, and the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra.
VIOLINIST
With electrifying charisma and boundary-breaking artistry, Iskandar Widjaja has been called everything from "a true force of nature" (The Strad) to "rockstar violinist" (The Jakarta Post). Blending the elegance of classical music with the energy of pop culture, Iskandar has performed with leading orchestras on five continents, collaborated with icons like Zubin Mehta and Fazil Say, and captivated audiences from Berlin's Philharmonie to Hollywood in Vienna. His distinctive sound - described as urgent, lyrical, and mesmerizing - pushes classical boundaries with a voice that is uniquely his own. Of mixed Dutch and Chinese-Indonesian heritage, Iskandar is a genre-defying artist with mass appeal. Whether sharing the stage with David Foster or headlining UNICEF charity concerts, he moves seamlessly between classical mastery and cultural relevance. A fashion muse, composer, and advocate for music education, he is as at home on global stages as he is inspiring street children in Jakarta. With millions reached through his online concerts, Iskandar continues to redefine what it means to be a 21st-century virtuoso.
