MARTINS SMAUKSTELIS TENOR
REVIEWS
Mozart's La nozze di Figaro
Seen and Heard International, Mark Berry
As Cherubino, Esme Bronwen-Smith captivated th[r]ough force of personality and similar attention to detail. Martins Smaukstelis did likewise as Basilio, an intriguingly chameleon-like portrayal, boasting notable ease in Italian as well as a finely expressive face. The very different, more diffident impression presented by his Don Curzio confirmed the individuality of portrayal.
Cavalli's L'Egisto
Seen and Heard international, Mark Berry
To make it so, of course, requires not only sensitive continuo realisation but also sensitive — and dramatic — vocal artistry. Here a number of singers excelled, showing considerable stage gifts too. Martins Smaukstelis was first among equals as Egisto, wounded, external heroism and inward anguish expressed by all manner of subtle gradations.
Rimsky-Korsakovs May Night
Planethugill
The Act Two scene with Murphy's Headman, Martins Smaukstelis's Distiller, Claire Barnett-Jones's sister-in-law and Henry Neill's clerk was a complete comic delight. One long sustained sequence where the four singers each created a strong sense of comedy, both aural and visual from Smaukstelis's supercilious man of the world (complete with pipe), through Barnett-Jones's completely over the top femme-fatale act to Neill's precise pomposity.
Bachtrack
Both Martins Smaukstelis as the Distiller and Henry Neill as the Clerk despatched their roles with aplomb.
BIOGRAPHY
Martins Smaukstelis is a Latvian-born tenor and the winner of the Emmy Destinn Awards 2024. He recently made his debuts in the roles of Rodolfo in La bohème (The Opera Makers), Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (New Opera Singapore), Tamino in Die Zauberflöte (Nevill Holt Festival) and most recently the role of Vladimir Lensky in Eugene Onegin (HGO).
Previous roles include Prince in Dvořák's Rusalka (New Opera Singapore), the title role in Cavalli's L'Egisto (HGO), and Spoletta in Puccini's Tosca (Devon Opera). He has sung in John Ramster's iconic staged Messiah with Merry Opera, and created the role of Prince
Charming in their Cinderella23. Martins also created the role of Adrian in Hopes & Fears, based on Debussy's L'enfant prodigue, and has sung the roles of Heinrich in Ethel Smyth's Der Wald and Faust in Lili Boulanger's Faust et Hélène in concert performances, with The Opera Makers.
A Masters of Arts graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Martins began his music career as a violinist. He has sung with some of the most prominent companies including Glyndebourne Festival, Garsington, Wexford and The Grange Festival. He enjoys performing in concert and oratorio, with past performances including Mozart's Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Mozart's Coronation mass with the Buckingham Choral Society.
EVENTS
Opera and song recital with Panaretos Kyriatzidis
Double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci - chorus
Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades and Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte - chorus and cover Ferrando
Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise Haydn Paukenmesse - Tenor soloist
Fully staged Handel's Messiah - tenor
Ethel Smyth's Der Wald - Heinrich
Cinderella - Prince Charming
G.Verdi's Macbeth and G&S Yeomen of the guard with The Grange Festival
P.Viardot's Cendrillon with St. Paul's Opera – Prince
W.A.Mozart's Marriage of Figaro with HGO – Basilio, Don Curzio
C. Debussy's music in a new setting and arrangement for Grimeborn Festival 2021 with The Opera Makers – Hopes and Fears – Adrian
J.Lūsēns song cycle Kā maigi dzelošs rožu krūms with women choir Sapnis and chamber orchestra
L'incoronazione di Poppea by C. Monteverdi - Soldier 1, Lucano, Littoree
Solo recital, piano - Julia Sinani
Royal Academy of Music Opera Scenes: Donizetti - Lelisir d'amore, Nemorino
Leeds Lieder Festival masterclass with Roger Vignoles
Performance at the Latvian Embassy in London, piano - Ieva Caune
Solo recital at Catthorpe Manor (Straumeni), piano - Julia Sinani
Celebration of Latvian National Day
Shakespeare 400 Anniversary gala concert with Glyndebourne chorus and London Philharmonic Orchestra
May night by N.Rimsky-Korsakov with Royal Academy Opera – Distiller
Solo parts for W.A.Mozart Requiem and Coronation mass with Juliann Mann and Buckingham Choral Society
Solo parts for W.A.Mozart Requiem with Chris Walker
Royal Academy of Music Vocal Faculty Opera Scenes: Puccini La Rondine Act I - Prunier
XI Latvijas skolu jaunatnes dziesmu un deju svetku pieminas koncerts (XI Latvian youth song and dance festival, memorial concert)
Poliuto by Donizetti
Carmen by Bizet
Solo parts for W.A.Mozart Requiem with Joyful Company of Singers
Solo parts for W.A.Mozart Requiem with Cranford Choral Society
Choral concert, to include F.Schubert Mass in G and W.A.Mozart's Dixit Et Magnificat KV193
Young Baltic Talent concert in Royal Academy of Music. To include pieces by A.Žilinskis, E.Dārziņš and A.Kalniņš
Recital together with Monta Martinsone (soprano) and Goda Stanionyte (piano)
Latvian composer recital with pianist Ieva Caune
Ariodante by G.F.Handel with Royal Academy Opera
Messiah by G.F.Handel with South Hampton High School
GALLERY
Hopes and Fears with The Opera Makers
as Adrian with Nina Bennet and Pauls Putnins
Photo by Marc Gascoigne
Hopes and Fears with The Opera Makers
as Adrian
Photo by Marc Gascoigne
L'incoronazione di Poppea with New Opera Singapore
as Lucano with Jonathan Khoo
L'incoronazione di Poppea with New Opera Singapore
as Lucano with Leslie Tay
