Biography

Laurent Martin has made a formidable impact directing opera in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and has contributed to productions enjoyed by audiences throughout the region. From Mozart to Wagner, he has worked on a variety of different projects of both traditional and profoundly modern stagings all of which have received critical acclaim.

Laurent's facility with foreign languages and skills as a musician make him an insightful and provocative interpreter for the stage. Laurent grew up surrounded by the operatic languages French, German, and Italian. His experience as an opera singer gives him a unique understanding of singers' needs, and singers have recognized his ability to communicate on their terms.

Communicating his vision clearly and imaginatively is only one of Laurent's strengths. He always seeks to create a comfortable environment where artists are free to be creative and explore possibilities. A serious student of operatic tradition both as a singer and director, Laurent's interpretations also borrow from his diverse knowledge of history, culture and folklore, and artistic traditions from across the globe.

Laurent Martin has been an assistant director for Opera San Jose (Der Fliegende Holländer, Roméo et Juliette), Golden Gate Opera (I Pagliacci), Bay Shore Lyric Opera (Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto), and UCSC Opera Theater (Le nozze di Figaro) where he has also directed scenes for the UCSC Opera Workshop.

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