Enrique Chávez, a Cuban native from Santiago now living in Getafe, Madrid, took center stage during the Blind Auditions of Spain's La Voz 2026 with his unforgettable rendition of "O mio babbino caro." His operatic performance left everyone speechless.
As a countertenor, Chávez possesses a rare male voice type that can reach pitches commonly associated with female singers. This led the four coaches, who were seated with their backs to the stage, to believe throughout the performance that a woman was singing.
The moment they turned around, the surprise was palpable. "It's a man!" several of the coaches exclaimed upon seeing who was behind the voice, as reported by El Confidencial.
Only coaches Melendi and Mika hit their buttons to turn their chairs, with Mika doing so at the last possible moment, visibly awed. "How could you not be on La Voz with that voice?" he exclaimed to the Cuban singer.
The aria performed by Chávez, from Giacomo Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi, was originally composed for a female soprano and has been famously performed by the likes of Maria Callas and Montserrat Caballé. For a man to sing it in his natural range is technically feasible but rare, which explains the widespread astonishment.
The Unforeseen Decision
The most unexpected twist came after the performance. In an unprecedented move, Melendi voluntarily opted not to recruit Chávez, advising him to choose another coach instead.
"I'm going to do something that goes against my competitive nature," began the singer from Asturias, before yielding the floor.
"I have a very special connection with your people, I love your people for many reasons, we have family ties. This is tough, because I might be passing up a winner," explained Melendi, whose paternal grandfather hailed from Camagüey, although they never met.
Melendi further suggested that Mika, with his extensive background in classical music, would be a better guide for Enrique in the competition: "Sometimes, loving means letting go, and I don't have the classical music knowledge that Mika does. I wouldn't know how to advise you as he can, adapting that to a show like this. I have to be honest with you and say that I believe your coach for this journey is Mika."
Enrique Chávez's response stunned Mika and left Melendi in disbelief: "First of all, thank you to all four of you, I admire you. But I'm going with you, Melendi."
On YouTube, viewer comments echoed the impact of his performance: "What a voice, it touches the heart," one user commented.
Previous Cuban Success Stories
This isn't the first time a Cuban has made a mark on Spain's La Voz. In 2021, Carlos Ángel Valdés reached the grand finale with Luis Fonsi's team, and in 2025, Andrés James wowed the blind auditions with "Chan Chan."
As for Melendi, his connection to Cuba extends beyond the show. In June 2025, he unfurled a Cuban flag during a concert, delivering a message advocating for the island's freedom.
Insights into Enrique Chávez's Journey on La Voz
Who is Enrique Chávez?
Enrique Chávez is a Cuban countertenor from Santiago, residing in Getafe, Madrid, known for his impactful performance on Spain's La Voz 2026.
What aria did Enrique Chávez perform on La Voz?
Enrique Chávez performed "O mio babbino caro," an aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi, originally written for a female soprano.
Why did Melendi advise Enrique Chávez to choose another coach?
Melendi suggested Enrique choose Mika as a coach due to Mika's greater expertise in classical music, which he believed would benefit Enrique in the competition.