Eric Mentzel

Eric Mentzel serves as Professor of Voice at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, specializing in historically-informed vocal performance. An internationally acclaimed concert soloist, he has performed with leading conductors including Andrew Parrott and Howard Arman at venues such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Edinburgh Festival across Europe, Japan, and Australia. His extensive discography of nearly 60 recordings for labels like Sony and Harmonia Mundi has earned multiple international awards including the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik and Diapason d'Or.

Mentzel earned his Master of Fine Arts in Early Music Performance from Sarah Lawrence College (1983) and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Temple University College of Music (1980). His academic training established the foundation for his expertise in historical performance practices spanning medieval to contemporary repertoire.

His research focuses on Music Performance, Vocal Performance, Choral Studies, and Historical Performance Practice, with particular emphasis on medieval and Renaissance vocal music including works by Hildegard von Bingen and 15th-century German songbooks. He has also premiered contemporary compositions by Alfred Schnittke, Henri Pousseur, and Garrett Fisher, demonstrating exceptional versatility across historical periods.

Mentzel's recent recordings (2001-2016) reveal a consistent scholarly approach to medieval and Renaissance repertoire, especially German and French sources from the 12th-15th centuries, alongside significant contemporary opera projects. His critically acclaimed Vox Iberica series and Hildegard von Bingen recordings have significantly shaped modern understanding of early music performance practices.

His major awards include:

• Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Grammy)
• Diapason d'Or de l'Annee
• Choc de Musique
• Diapason d’Or
• Dix de Repertoire

At the University of Oregon, Mentzel mentors undergraduate and graduate students in voice performance and historical practices. He has held guest professorships at the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, and University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, while directing workshops at Vancouver Early Music Programme and Amherst Early Music.

Mentzel founded the ensemble Vox Resonat in Germany (1998), re-forming it in Oregon (2013) for innovative programs including Day of the Dead concerts in Eugene's Masonic Cemetery. Since 2015, he has served as Artistic Director of the Seattle Medieval Women’s Choir and maintains long-standing collaborations with ensembles including Sequentia and Huelgas Ensemble.