About Luis
Biography
Luis Hernández-Luque is recognized for what many describe as “the Latin flavor,” a unique quality that defines his voice as a blend of a lyric tenor, with its warm and rounded timbre, and a light tenor, thanks to his agility, precision in high notes, and mastery of coloratura. His versatility as a singer and actor allows him to transition seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles, establishing himself as a complete performer.
Born in a humble rural region of the magical landscapes of Santander, Colombia, Luis Carlos Hernández Luque is the youngest of four siblings and the only artist in his family. From an early age, he displayed a deep interest in drawing, crafts, theater, dance, and music, marking the beginning of his artistic journey. Determined to fulfill his dreams and honor the memory of his late parents, he embarked on a journey to Vienna, where he earned a Master of Arts – Opera degree from the prestigious University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw). There, he studied under the guidance of renowned professors such as Univ.-Prof. Ramón Vargas, Univ.-Prof. Jörg Schneider, Univ.-Prof. Christoph Ulrich Meier, and Univ.-Prof. Michael Sturminger. Prior to this, he completed his vocal studies at the Conservatory of the National University of Colombia in Bogotá, where he was a student of Ángela Simbaqueba.
Recently, Luis made his acting debut in the crime series Vienna Blood IV: Mephisto, produced by the BBC, ORF, ZDF, and PBS, portraying the famous Spanish tenor Carlos Carrillo. The series is set to premiere in the fall of 2024. Among his upcoming engagements are roles such as Beppe (Pagliacci) and the Principál komediantů (The Bartered Bride) at the Moravian Theater in Olomouc during the 2023/24 season. In the 2024/25 season, he will perform as the Witch (Hänsel und Gretel) and Alfredo (La Traviata). Additionally, he will portray George Brown in Die weiße Dame with Kammeroper München in Aschaffenburg, Switzerland; Beppe (Pagliacci) at the State Theatre Prague; La Nutrice (L’incoronazione di Poppea) at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo in Bogotá as part of the theater’s 15th-anniversary celebrations; and Verdi’s Requiem at the Musikverein Wien – Goldener Saal.
In recent concerts, Luis appeared as tenor soloist in Bruckner’s Te Deum and Requiem in Klosterneuburg, Austria; Mozart’s Requiem at the Reformierte Kirche in Vienna; the cantatas Germanenzug and Festkantate by Bruckner at the Brahms Saal of the Musikverein Wien; and Carmina Burana at the Grosser Saal of the Vienna Konzerthaus, as well as in Lucknow and the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India, with the Philharmonie Uniwien. Other highlights include the 2024 New Year’s Concert in Sochi with members of the Vienna Philharmonic; Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt at St. Othmar in Mödling; and Haydn’s Paukenmesse at the Michaelerkirche in Vienna.
Luis’s repertoire is as diverse as it is extensive. At the Schönbrunn Palace Theater, he performed as the Witch (Hänsel und Gretel) with the Beethoven Philharmonie and as Grimoaldo (Rodelinda), under the direction of Christoph Meier and staging by Michael Sturminger. Other notable roles include the High Priest (Idomeneo) and Brighella (Ariadne auf Naxos) at the Schönbrunn Palace Theater, as well as Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore), Alfredo (La Traviata), Ernesto (Don Pasquale), Don Curzio, and Basilio (Le nozze di Figaro) with the Webern Symphony Orchestra as part of the mdw Opera Practice program. He performed as Alfredo (La Traviata) in Prague with the company RunOperun and made his debut in Vienna’s Mozart Saal of the Konzerthaus in 2022 with a Latin American repertoire program alongside the Wiener Konzertvereinigung. He also participated in a Rossini Gala at the Joseph Haydn Hall in Vienna with pianist Christoph Meier.
Luis has brought his talent to audiences across Latin America. He portrayed Don Curzio (Le nozze di Figaro) at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Martin Haselböck, and Scaramuccio (Ariadne auf Naxos) at the Teatro Colón in Bogotá with the Colombian National Symphony Orchestra. He also performed the Swan (Carmina Burana) in various cities in Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, and Rodolfo (La Bohème) at the Femusc Festival in Brazil. Additionally, he was the tenor soloist in Schubert’s Mass in E-flat Major at the Bogotá International Classical Music Festival with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra under Robert Treviño’s baton, and in Handel’s Messiah with the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra. Other noteworthy projects include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Choral Fantasy, Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ, and Abdías in Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the Teatro Colón in Bogotá with the EAFIT Symphony Orchestra.
In the early stages of his career, Luis debuted at the Teatro Colón in Bogotá as Henry Marat in the operetta Black the Clownwith the Colombian National Symphony Orchestra (2014). He also performed in The Cat with Boots by Montsalvatge (Miller) and presented the recital Viaggio Italiano in the Foyer of the Teatro Colón. Among his university projects are roles such as Triquet (Eugene Onegin), Lacouf and the Son (Les mamelles de Tirésias), The Prologue (The Turn of the Screw), Toby (The Medium), and Teo (Atzar) at the León de Greiff Auditorium in Bogotá. He also participated in the zarzuela season of the Jaime Manzur Foundation as Gustavo in Los Gavilanes at the Teatro de Bellas Artes in Bogotá. In contemporary opera, he portrayed Simón Bolívar in El bosque sobre el bosque by Daniel Velasco and Antonio Picado in El último día de Francisco Pizarro by Moisès Bertran, both world premieres.
Luis has participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Javier Camarena, Ramón Vargas, Ernesto Palacio, Raúl Giménez, Claudia Visca, Vincenzo Scalera, Enric Martínez-Castignani, Victoria Livengood, Verónica Villarroel, Ignacio García, and Marcelo Lombardero, among others. His accolades include second place in the National Singing Competition of Colombia (2020), finalist positions in the International Linus Lerner Competition in Mexico (2020) and the Ciudad de Trujillo Competition in Peru (2018), and an honorable mention at the National Singing Competition of the Caldas Symphony. He was also a winner of the Beethoven, Fabio Lozano, and UNAL soloist concert series in Colombia.
Luis as an actor
Luis Hernández-Luque, a Colombian tenor known for his vocal versatility and theatrical skills, has also ventured into television. He portrayed Carlos Carrillo in an episode of the BBC series “Vienna Blood” fourth season, a crime drama set in 19th-century Vienna. While acting is not his primary focus, this role highlights his ability to diversify his artistic career, blending his vocal talent with on-screen performance.
Luis as a drawer
Luis is also a talented draftsman and illustrator. While he is best known for his career as a tenor and performer, his artistic skills extend far beyond music. Through his official social media, he has shared a collection of his drawings, showcasing his creative approach and visual talent. His works reflect a unique sensitivity, demonstrating how he blends visual art with his passion for performing arts and music.
Luis as a songwriter
Luis, in addition to his notable work as a tenor, is also an accomplished songwriter. He has composed several beautiful songs for voice and guitar, showcasing his versatility as a musician. Notably, some of his compositions have been adapted and arranged for symphonic orchestra, highlighting his ability to blend his intimate, acoustic sound with the grandeur of orchestral arrangements. This fusion adds a unique depth to his musical expression, emphasizing his talent not only as a performer but also as a creator and arranger of music.
Luis as Lolita Victoria
Luis has indeed performed under the drag persona Lolita Victoria, showcasing a vibrant and theatrical extension of his artistic expression. This aspect of his career aligns with his ability to blend diverse performance arts, emphasizing creativity, individuality, and boldness.
As Lolita Victoria, he engages audiences with captivating performances that celebrate identity and artistry, reflecting his versatility as an artist.