Cuban Countertenor Enrique Chávez Stuns in La Voz Spain Battles

The talented Cuban countertenor, Enrique Chávez, captivated both coaches and audience alike during the battle round of La Voz Spain 2026. He delivered a breathtaking rendition of Queen’s classic "Who Wants to Live Forever" alongside Lorena Bonnin on the Antena 3 stage.

Both contestants are part of Melendi's team, who was faced with one of the toughest decisions of the competition. The Asturian singer described the duel as "the most lyrical" battle he had ever witnessed on the show, openly admitting his reluctance to choose between the two contestants.

The tension was palpable even during rehearsals, where Melendi was moved to tears by their performances. He told both singers, "You are very talented."

The performance left the other coaches speechless. Mika was particularly vocal in his praise, stating, "Hearing those two lyrical voices is overwhelming. It’s a spectacular moment that touches your soul." Meanwhile, Vanesa Martín jokingly remarked to Melendi, "Opera seems to follow you," recalling his 2018 win with young singer Melani and her remarkable operatic voice.

Ultimately, Melendi chose Enrique Chávez to continue on his team. However, Lorena Bonnin was not eliminated, as Vanesa Martín—acting as the fifth coach this season with the power to save one contestant per team—returned her to Melendi's team later that evening.

Enrique expressed his gratitude towards his fellow contestant on social media, stating warmly, "Singing with Lorena was wonderful, she's an amazing girl. Thank you. You're one of a kind, Lore."

This triumph in the battle rounds is not the first time Enrique has surprised audiences. During the blind auditions, his rendition of Puccini’s aria "O mio babbino caro" stunned the four coaches, who initially believed the voice to be female. Mika exclaimed, "It’s a man!" upon turning his chair, then added, "How could you not be on La Voz with that voice?"

Although both Mika and Melendi turned their chairs, Enrique chose to join Melendi’s team. Their connection extends beyond the show. The Asturian coach has Cuban roots—his paternal grandfather hailed from Camagüey—and he has expressed his affection for the island on numerous occasions. In June 2025, Melendi unfurled a Cuban flag during a concert before a Cuban-American audience, shouting, "Long live my free Cuba!"

Cuba's presence in La Voz Spain has a notable history. Carlos Ángel Valdés reached the finals in 2021 with Luis Fonsi’s team, and Andrés James wowed the blind auditions in 2025 with his performance of "Chan Chan" by Compay Segundo.

Enrique Chávez, a 34-year-old from Santiago now residing in Madrid, continues to compete under Melendi’s mentorship. He is emerging as one of the most distinctive contestants of this season, thanks to his unique vocal talent.