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 who completed his Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music with Neil Mackie and Jonathan Papp. He was awarded a full entrance scholarship, which was made possible by Leverhulme Trust Postgraduate Scholarship.
He had the opportunity to sing in public masterclasses with Dennis O’Neill at the Academy and Roger Vignoles at the Leeds Lieder Festival 2017.
Martins sang the role of the Distiller in Royal Academy Opera’s production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera May Night and sang in the chorus for Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and Handel's Ariodante.
Recently Martins made his debut as Egisto in Cavalli's L'Egisto as well as Basilio and Don Curzio in Mozart's La Nozze di Figaro with Hampstead Garden Opera. He also performed the roles of Lucano, Soldier 1 and Littore for New Opera Singapore production of Monteverdi's L’incoronazione di Poppea.
In September Martins sang in Grimeborn Festival 2021 as Adrian in Hopes and fears, Debussy's music with new arrangement and libretto in English with The Opera Makers
As a part of Royal Academy of Music Opera Scenes he performed various roles including Ferrando from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Prunier from Puccini’s La Rondine and Nemorino from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
Martins was an understudy for the role of Bergerac in Offenbach's Vert-Vert in Garsington Opera, as well as being in the chorus for Rossini’s Maometto II, Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Mozart’s Entführung aus dem Serail. He has also sung for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in their productions of Donizetti’s Poliuto, Bizet’s Carmen, Janacek’s Cunning little vixen and Wagner’s Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and for Wexford Festival Opera in their Cherubini’s Medea and Foroni’s Margherita.
Martins also has a busy concert life and is appearing in oratorio performances all around the UK. Past performances include Mozart’s Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields and Mozart’s Coronation mass with the Buckingham Choral Society.
Martins is also generously supported by the Josephine Baker Trust, Drake Calleja Trust and Countess of Munster Musical Trust.
EVENTS
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
