Michael Laurenz
Vienna State Opera - The Rhinegold
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 - The Rhinegold
A highlight of this performance was Michael Laurenz's Loge. There is arguably no better singer-actor of this demanding role today.
The Opera Lover (September 26, 2024)Season 25/26 and Highlights
VIENNA STATE OPERA
Bartered Bride
Sep 28, Oct 2/5/8/11/13
WUPPERTAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Rheingold in concert
Oct 18
NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF SPANISH
The book with seven seals
Nov 14/15/16
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VIENNA STATE OPERA
Hansel and Gretel
Dec 26/28/29, Jan 2ZURICH OPERA
Cadillac
Feb 15/18/21/25, Mar 1/6/10VIENNA STATE OPERA
Bartered Bride
Mar 23/26/29/31STATE OPERA UNTER DEN LINDEN
Ariadne on Naxos
Apr 17/19/23STATE OPERA UNTER DEN LINDEN
Abduction from the Seraglio
Jun 28, Jul 1/5/8/11
Biography
Michael Laurenz impresses with precise musical interpretation, a strong stage presence, and versatility in acting. He is particularly sought after for character and comic tenor roles that demand a high degree of scenic and vocal differentiation.
Born in Halle, Germany, he began his career as a trumpeter, most recently as principal trumpet with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.
In the 2025/26 season, he can be seen at the Vienna State Opera as Wenzel (The Bartered Bride) and the Witch (Hänsel and Gretel), at the Zurich Opera House as Officer (Cardillac), and at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden as Dance 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, and subsequently belonged to its ensemble for almost a decade. From 2018 to 2020, he was a permanent ensemble member of the Vienna State Opera and remains associated with the house as a guest performer.
A focus of his career lies in character tenor roles – with a particular emphasis on roles in works by Wagner, Strauss, Mozart, and contemporary composers. Numerous new productions and role debuts have taken him to Amsterdam, Geneva, Lyon, Antwerp, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Paris, as well as to the Bregenz Festival, the Glyndebourne Festival, and several times to the Salzburg Festival.
As Mime, Michael Laurenz has appeared with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under Fabio Luisi in concert performances of Das Rheingold and Siegfried. His artistic work is shaped by collaborations with conductors such as Philippe Jordan, Christian Thielemann, Thomas Guggeis, Cornelius Meister, Franz Welser-Möst, and Marc Minkowski, as well as a close connection to directors who regularly engage him for complex scenic parts.
Particularly noteworthy are his performances in contemporary and rarely performed works such as Josef K. in Gottfried von Einem's Der Prozess, Cauchon in Walter Braunfels’ Jeanne d’Arc, Orsino in Goldschmidt's Beatrice Cenci, or as Erich in HK Gruber's Tales from the Vienna Woods. In these roles, Laurenz consistently impressed with his distinctive stage presence, text-focused interpretation, and stylistic versatility.
With a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner to modern works, Michael Laurenz is increasingly establishing himself as a distinguished specialist for character-driven roles with demanding acting requirements. His interpretations are characterized by musical precision, depth of interpretation, and a high degree of theatrical intelligence.
2025/26
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