Michael Laurenz
Vienna State Opera - Das Rheingold
Michael Laurenz as Mime confirms what we know about him: pointed, with perfect diction – exactly the type of character tenor this role needs.
klassik-begeistert.de (June 20, 2025)Theater Basel - Das Rheingold
A highlight of this performance was Michael Laurenz's Loge. There is probably no better singer-actor of this demanding role today.
Der Opernfreund (September 26, 2024)Season 25/26 and Highlights
VIENNA STATE OPERA
Bartered Bride - Vasek
Sep 28, Oct 2/5/8/11/13
WUPPERTAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Rheingold concert version - Loge
Oct 18
ORQUESTA NACIONAL DE ESPANA
The Book with Seven Seals - John
Nov 14/15/16
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VIENNA STATE OPERA
Hansel and Gretel - The Knusperhexe
Dec 26/28/29, Jan 2ZURICH OPERA
Cardillac - Officer
Feb 15/18/21/25, Mar 1/6/10VIENNA STATE OPERA
Bartered Bride - Vasek
Mar 23/26/29/31BERLIN STATE OPERA
Ariadne auf Naxos - Tanzmeister
Apr 17/19/23BERLIN STATE OPERA
Abduction from the Seraglio - Pedrillo
Jun 28, Jul 1/5/8/11
Biography
Michael Laurenz is acclaimed for his precise musical phrasing, compelling stage presence, and remarkable dramatic versatility. He is particularly sought after in character and Spieltenor roles that demand high levels of both vocal and theatrical nuance.
Born in Halle, he began his career as a trumpeter, serving most recently as principal trumpet of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra before turning to singing.
In the 2025/26 season, he will appear at the Vienna State Opera as Wenzel (The Bartered Bride) and the Witch (Hansel and Gretel), at the Zurich Opera House as the Officer (Cardillac), and at the Berlin State Opera as the Dancing Master (Ariadne auf Naxos) and Pedrillo (The Abduction from the Seraglio).
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He received his vocal training at the International Opera Studio of the Zurich Opera House, where he subsequently became a member of the ensemble for nearly a decade. From 2018 to 2020 he was a permanent member of the Vienna State Opera ensemble, with which he continues to maintain a close artistic relationship as a frequent guest.
A central focus of his career lies in the character tenor repertoire, with particular emphasis on roles in the works of Wagner, Strauss, Mozart, and contemporary composers. Numerous new productions and role debuts have taken him to major opera houses in Amsterdam, Geneva, Lyon, Antwerp, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Paris, as well as to the Bregenz Festival, Glyndebourne Festival, and multiple appearances at the Salzburg Festival.
As Mime, Michael Laurenz has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under Fabio Luisi in concert performances of Das Rheingold and Siegfried. Collaborations with conductors such as Philippe Jordan, Christian Thielemann, Thomas Guggeis, Cornelius Meister, Franz Welser-Möst, and Marc Minkowski have been formative in his artistic development, as has his ongoing collaboration with stage directors who regularly cast him in complex and theatrically demanding roles.
Particularly noteworthy are his appearances in contemporary and rarely performed works, including Josef K. in Gottfried von Einem’s Der Prozess, Cauchon in Walter Braunfels’s Jeanne d’Arc, Orsino in Goldschmidt’s Beatrice Cenci, and Erich in HK Gruber’s Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald. In these performances, Laurenz consistently impresses with his strong stage presence, text-driven interpretation, and stylistic versatility.
With a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner and contemporary music, Michael Laurenz has established himself as a distinguished specialist for character roles that require both musical precision and profound dramatic insight. His performances are marked by interpretative depth, artistic intelligence, and a vivid sense of theatricality.
2025/26
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