Ismael Fernández de la Cuesta (born 1939) is a Spanish vocalist and musicologist specialising in Gregorian chant.
Fernández de la Cuesta was born in the village of Neila, Burgos, Spain.[1] He entered the Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos at a young age. After a period of study in France, he returned to direct the abbey choir from 1962 to 1973, when he left monastic life.[2] He was subsequently on the staff of the Madrid Royal Conservatory, where he taught Gregorian Chant until his retirement.
He has published extensively on subjects related to medieval music.[3]
He has made recordings of Gregorian chant, notably Chant, the best-selling classical record of 1994, which features the monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. He also directed performances of Mozarabic chant with the same choir.[4] [5]
He is a recipient of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise.