“An excellent master of his Art“ (M. Harras): For four decades, the bass baritone Klaus Mertens has been critically acclaimed in concert and on nearly 200 CD recordings. “Transcendentally brilliant“ (klassik.com), “wonderfully slender, serenely declaiming“ (mdr Figaro) and “refreshing and tremendously homogeneous“ (klassik.com) are just some of the many positive reviews he got for his celebrated interpretations of early music to avant-garde.

Klaus Mertens works with many specialists of historically influenced performances and has made his name as one of the most prominent and sought after interpreters of baroque oratories and concert repertoire. Among other things, he recorded the great vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach under numerous conductors. He is the only vocalist worldwide who has recorded the complete works of Bach cantatas with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir under Ton Koopman as well as bringing in the entire vocal oeuvre of Dieterich Buxtehude.

In addition Mertens also works with many other acclaimed conductors and is being invited to sing by some of the most significant orchestras of the world. The artist is also a regular guest at the major international festivals.

Furthermore, in addition to the great oratory works of classicism and romanticism, he dedicates himself to the song (Lied) from its beginnings to the present time. His repertoire reaches from Monteverdi to contemporary music and includes a number of works which were composed especially for him.

As recognition of his work so far as an interpreter of baroque vocal music, the renowned Georg-PhilippTelemann-Preis of Magdeburg 2016 was bestowed upon Klaus Mertens.