Garðar Thór Cortes (pronounced [ˈkarðar tʰouːr ˈkʰɔr̥tɛs], born 2 May 1974), is an Icelandic tenor of Icelandic and English parentage. A former child actor, Garðar subsequently trained as a singer in Vienna, Copenhagen and London. He has performed various leading tenor roles in operas, as well as a leading part in The Phantom of the Opera in London's West End. While insisting that he is first and foremost a classical opera singer, it was with his classical crossover album Cortes, released in Iceland in 2005, that Garðar came to prominence. His debut album in the UK, also titled Cortes, was released on 16 April 2007 and entered the UK Classical Charts at number 1. Garðar is currently supporting Elaine Paige in the UK and will play several dates at the Harpa concert hall across December 2014 and January 2015.

Biography

The Cortes family is one of the less than 5% of Icelanders who have a surname. Although Garðar's maternal grandfather was Polish and the family is a mix of Danish, English, Icelandic, Italian, Spanish and Swedish people, they do not know how and where the family name "Cortes" comes from. Garðar speaks fluent English, and at home members of his family converse in a mixture of Icelandic and English – often in the same sentence.

Garðar loves to watch movies – "everything from slushy romantic comedies to shoot 'em up cop thrillers" – and to spend time with his actress wife, Tinna.