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René Jacobs began singing as a choirboy at the cathedral of his native city of Ghent in Belgium. While studying Classics at the University of Ghent, he continued his musical training in Brussels, then at The Hague. There he met the great counter tenor Alfred Deller who encouraged him to become a counter tenor.  In the space of a few years he became one of the most eminent exponents of this voice, giving recitals all over the world. He created the ensemble Concerto Vocale in 1977and his work as a conductor subsequently saw him leading performances of the operas of Monteverdi, Cesti, Cavalli, Gluck and Handel in the foremost venues in Europe and Japan. Since 1997 René Jacobs has been artistic director of the Innsbruck Festival.
As principal guest conductor and artistic adviser for Baroque repertoire at the Berlin Staatsoper, he has conducted numerous major productions there.
René Jacobs was for many years a professor at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, and maintains a close relationship with this institution, where he trained many singers who now appear in the great international opera houses.

René Jacobs is currently touring Europe with a concertant production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo.” In this week’s Inspired Minds, he talks to Breandáin O’Shea about the early days of his career as a countertenor, his conducting and the great inspiration he finds in music of the 16th and 17th century.

Interview: Breandáin O'Shea/René Jacobs