Biography
Tenor Laurent Martin has distinguished himself as an expressive singer and compelling actor. His musical performances have been recognized by critics and audiences have delighted in his abilities as a comic actor.
Laurent began his theater career growing up in Southern California and has performed in dozens of fully-staged productions of opera and musical theatre. His considerable experience on the stage is apparent in his convincing and impactful characterizations of both leading and character roles.
Laurent's character roles include Lippo in Street Scene, El Remendado in Carmen, Frantz in Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, and Borsa in Rigoletto. Laurent also performs the lyric roles of Nero in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Bill in Kiss Me Kate, Mr. Angel in The Impresario, and Rinnucio in Gianni Schicchi.
In February of 2008 Innova records featured Laurent as the tenor soloist on a recording of Henry Brant's 'Ceremony.' Deeply committed to new music, Laurent had the opportunity to participate in two world premier productions in 2007, premiering the roles of Roberto and Pico for Opera Providence's Michelangelo and the principal role of Marcel in the musical Mr. Lee's Fabulous Circus at Riverside Theatre Works.
Laurent has studied voice with sopranos Carole Haber and Patrcie Maginnis, and dramatic coaching from director A. Scott Parry. He holds a masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC).
In addition to his conservatory education, Laurent has been invited to participate in numerous summer programs for singers. He has sung with the SummerSong Vocal Arts Institute, twice been a participant in the SongFest Young Artist Program, and in 2003 he was invited to be a member of the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center in North Carolina.
Laurent frequently appears as a soloist in concert with orchestras and choruses around Greater Boston. Recent engagements include performances with the Harvard University Bernstein Symposia Ensemble with conductor Judith Clurman, the Masterworks Chorale, and at Boston's Trinity Church and Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
In the Summer of 2008 Laurent was invited to the Duxbury Music Festival in Duxbury, Massachusetts where he sang 11 performances of Solo, Chamber, and Opera Scene repertoire in 14 days. He has also performed in concerts with the Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra and the UCSC Orchestra under Nicole Paiement. As a member of UCSC's University Chamber Singers Laurent sung on a world premier recording of works by Lou Harrison recorded under the supervision of the composer.
