Ainhoa Arteta

Aïnhoa Arteta, the Spanish soprano, launched her first full-length classical crossover project in 2009 when she released the Top Five album La Vida. She entered the world as Ainhoa Arteta Ibarrolaburu on September 24, 1964, in Tolosa, Guipúzcoa, Spain, and stepped onto the opera stage for the first time in 1990 inside the United States. Over the ensuing years she built a reputation as a seasoned opera artist who attracted audiences across many countries. That same year, 2009, she issued La Vida through Universal Music Spain, marking her entry into the classical crossover market. The collection features familiar pop standards from several traditions: Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender,” Jacques Brel’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas,” Ariel Ramírez’s “Alfonsina y el Mar,” the Beatles’ “Michelle,” and Silvio Rodríguez’s “La Vida.” Among the supporting players are guitarist Javier Limón, pianist Danny “Melón” Lewis, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Fernández, bassist Dany Noel, and trumpeter Carlitos Sarduy. On the charts the album performed strongly, climbing to number three in Spain and remaining inside the Top Ten for nine weeks.