Cuban-American Baritone Nelson Martinez, began his operatic career at the young age of 19 singing to great praise and critical acclaim throughout opera houses around the world, with a variety of Italian and French Operas, as well as Cuban and Spanish Zarzuelas. Mr. Martinez’ voice is that of a high dramatic Verdian baritone, combiningelegant legato with insightful musicality. He has a commanding and dominating stage presence.

Mr. Martinez joined the Metropolitan Opera’s roster in 2016 covering Count di Luna in The Met’s production of Il trovatore and returned in 2017 singing the role of Monterone in Rigoletto and Giorgio Germont in La traviata to great reviews.

Critics described Mr. Martinez as “the real deal, his voice is huge, his presencepowerful, and when necessary, scaled down for moments of sensitivity and pathos. The sweetness that is essential for the father-daughter duets is mesmerizing. This is a trueVerdi baritone”, for his performance of Nabucco in Nabucco with Florida Grand Opera.

The 2018/19 season takes Mr. Martinez to LA Opera as Rodrigo(c) in Don Carlo, Germont(c) La traviata and Michonnet(c) in Adriana Lecouvreur with the Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Martinez will be making his San Diego Opera debut as Amonasro in Aida in October 2019.

In the 2013-14 season Mr. Martinez made his debut with the Greek National Opera in the title role of Rigoletto in Rigoletto, Nabucco in Nabucco with the Florida Grand Opera and Falstaff in Falstaff with the Theatro Municipal de Sao Paolo.

Mr. Martinez has also performed with such opera companies as, The Metropolitan Opera, Greek National Opera, Theatro Municipal de Sao Paulo, Winter Opera St. Louis, Opera Carolina, Knoxville Opera, Miami Lyric Opera, Metro Lyric Opera of New Jersey, Baltimore Opera, Sociedad Pro Arte Gratelli of Miami among others.

Mr. Martinez began his vocal studies in Cuba under the direction of Mr. Raul Camayd and later with Nayade Proenza.

Mr. Martinez resides in Miami, FL where he studies with Hilda del Castillo.