 Born Max Emanuel Cenčić in Zagreb, he started singing at a very early age, earning fame in his native Croatia at the age of six after singing the Queen of the Night's coloratura aria "Der Hölle Rache" from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" on Zagreb television.From circa 1987 to 1992, Cenčić was a member of the Wiener Sängerknaben, touring and recording with them.Recorded performances, in which Cenčić was either treble soloist of the Sängerknaben or an independent male soprano, include Handel's "Messiah", Haydn's "Die Schöpfung", and Mozart's Requiem, alongside countertenor Derek Lee Ragin).