Grace Echauri adeptly balances her career as a mezzo-soprano soloist with her role as a conductor of orchestras and choirs. She achieved her professional debut as an opera soloist at the age of 19 and had her first experience in conducting during her teenage years under the mentorship of Maestro Francisco Orozco. Subsequently, she participated in courses and received guidance from masters such as Antonio Abreu, Eduardo García, and Enrique Barrios. Throughout her extensive career as a soloist, Echauri continued her studies in New York with Susan Young, repertoire with Denisse Massé (Juilliard School of Music), and conducting with Dr. Diana Batipaglia (Lehman College, New York).
In recognition of her illustrious artistic journey, Grace Echauri was bestowed with the Mozart Medal by the Embassy of Austria in Mexico in 1996. In 1999, she secured victory at the XXX Vincenzo Bellini International Singing Competition, held in Italy.
Echauri is deeply committed to championing contemporary music and has received commissions and collaborated closely with international composers, including Somtow Sucharitkul, Gina Enríquez, Leonardo Coral, José María Vitier, Miguel Arturo Valenzuela, and Robert Rodriguez, among others. Her extensive discography includes world premieres of operatic works by Ibarra, namely, “Madre Juana” and “Antonieta,” in addition to the dramatic oratorio “Brindis por un Milenio.” Notably, her recording of Melesio Morales’ opera “Ildegonda” garnered the prestigious Michel Garcin Orphée d’or 96 Award in France, recognizing it as the best discographic production of the year. She also achieved the distinction of recording Mahler ‘s 8th Symphony, making her the first Mexican artist to do so, in collaboration with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra.
Echauri has performed in productions by the National Opera Company of Mexico, as well as various opera companies in the United States, Singapore, England, Colombia, and Thailand. As a soloist, she has shared the stage with Plácido Domingo, María Katzarava, Rolando Villazón, Ramón Vargas, and Sofia Loren. She has been conducted by Anton Coppola, Enrique Patrón de Rueda, Marco Armiliato, Eduardo Díazmuñoz, Somtow Sucharitkul, and Enrique Bátiz, among others.
Echauri’s illustrious career as a soloist and operatic performer, coupled with her orchestral contributions as an organist, provides her with a unique vantage point as a conductor. In her capacity as a guest conductor, she has skillfully led renowned orchestras, including the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Michoacán Symphony Orchestra, Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, San Luis Potosí Symphony Orchestra, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Zapopan, the Higinio Ruvalcaba Chamber Orchestra (UdG), and the Chamber Orchestra of Mexico City, among others.
