Educational Background and Musical Training
Lupe Larzabal began her musical career by studying voice and bass at the School of Popular Music EPM in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Notably, before her formal musical training, she pursued studies in mathematics and physics at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Enseñanza en Matemática y Física "Mariano Acosta" in Buenos Aires. This highlights her versatility and her ability to grasp complex scientific concepts, which surely reflects in her structured approach to music.
Her vocal training was overseen by internationally renowned opera singers, including Argentine mezzosoprano Marta Blanco, British tenor Alastair Thompson (member of the famous ensemble The King's Singers), and Greek baritone Aris Argiris, with whom she later became personally and professionally connected.
Between 2000 and 2001, she completed a master’s degree in music with a focus on vocal performance in her home country, showcasing her formal and well-rounded musical education.
Scholarships and Opera Experiences
Lupe Larzabal was awarded two significant scholarships that supported her early career: in 2002 by Juventus Lyrica Buenos Aires and in 2003 by Buenos Aires Lírica. These grants provided her with opportunities to perform in a professional environment and further develop her skills as an opera singer.
She made her opera debut in 2001 in Les mamelles de Tirésias by Francis Poulenc, a rarely performed opera that demonstrates her willingness to engage with exceptional repertoire. In the following years, she performed major roles in globally renowned works, including the title role in Carmen (Bizet), Violetta in La Traviata (Verdi), and Juliette in Roméo et Juliette (Gounod). Additionally, her portrayal of Erda in Wagner's Das Rheingold and Farnace in Mozart's Mitridate, re di Ponto highlights her vocal flexibility and her broad repertoire.
Career in Germany
In 2003, Lupe Larzabal relocated to Germany, where she continued her vocal training. She took private lessons with Prof. Alastair Thompson (King’s Singers) in Cologne, demonstrating her international connections and her commitment to continuous professional development. In Germany, she further advanced her opera career: in 2011, she appeared as Pisana in Verdi's I due Foscari and as the Marchese in Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment. In 2012, she made her debut as the old nun in Hindemith's Sancta Susanna at the Theater Bonn.
In 2013, she performed as the alto soloist in the contemporary opera Dionysos by Wolfgang Rihm at the Theater Heidelberg. This performance underscores her interest in contemporary music and her ability to navigate diverse musical periods and styles.
Choral Conducting and International Cultural Projects
Between 2015 and 2020, Lupe Larzabal led the choir Voces de las Américas. During this period, she conducted Ariel Ramírez’s renowned Misa Criolla in Cologne Cathedral in July 2016, with Aris Argiris as the soloist. Her work during this time showcases her leadership abilities and her talent for staging large musical productions. In December 2017, under her musical direction, Martín Palmeri's Misatango was presented.
At the end of 2017, she founded the association LiberArte Bonn e.V., dedicated to promoting the art and culture of Hispanic America. This initiative reflects her commitment to preserving her Latin American roots and promoting international cultural projects.
In 2018, she founded the vocal quartet ClarOscuro, specializing in the interpretation of Baroque music from Latin America. The creation of such ensembles highlights her creative side and passion for exploring different musical epochs and styles.
Festival Organization and World Premieres
In 2019, Lupe Larzabal organized the first Misatango Choral Festival in Germany through LiberArte Bonn e.V., in collaboration with composer Martín Palmeri. This festival was a significant contribution to the spread of Latin American choral music in Europe.
In 2020, she conducted the choir rehearsals for the world premiere of Martín Palmeri's Tango Chorfantasy, which took place as part of the celebrations for Beethoven's 250th birthday. This experience demonstrates her ability to take on leading roles in major international music projects.
Recent Projects and Ensemble Leadership
In 2023, Lupe Larzabal led the German-Hispanic-American project choir for the world premiere of the Stabat Mater composed by her father, José Luis Larzabal, in Vienna. In this premiere, she also sang the alto solo part, conducted by Martín Palmeri. This performance represents a highlight in her career, combining both her family heritage and her musical talents.
In the same year, she founded the women’s vocal ensemble LiberArte – female a cappella, consisting of six female voices. For this ensemble, Larzabal arranges sophisticated works from the international repertoire, showcasing her creativity and expertise as an arranger.
Leadership Roles and Teaching Experience
Since September 2023, Lupe Larzabal has been the second chair of the Latin Orchestra of Europe, based in Frankfurt am Main. This position underscores her leadership qualities and her dedication to promoting Latin American music in Europe.
As a vocal teacher, she has been active since 2010, and since 2017, she has run a private music studio in Bonn alongside her husband, Aris Argiris. Her teaching work reflects her commitment to training the next generation of musicians.