Mārtiņš Ozoliņš
1974
Conductor, educator
Born on 18 May 1974. Obtained his music grounding at the Emīls Dārziņš Special Music secondary school, then graduated from the Latvian Academy of Music in the choir-conducting class of Edgars Račevskis, earning bachelor’s (1996) and master’s (1998) degrees, later graduating from the symphony-orchestra conducting class of Imants Rešnis (2003). Supplemented his knowledge in master classes with Helmut Rilling in Germany, Gintaras Rinkevičius in Lithuania and Vassily Sinaisky in St. Petersburg.
When still a student, achieved notable success in conducting competitions – won the international Rīga ’97 conducting competition and IVth International Jorma Panula Conducting Competition (2009).
Ozoliņš’ calling is the conducting of symphonic orchestras and the staging of large-scale symphonic works. Has conducted the Latvijas filharmoniķi chamber orchestra, the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Kauņas Symphony Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra. Has staged opera and ballet performances in Tampere (Finland), Trieste (Italy), Catania (Italy), has performed in Moscow (Russia), Mexico City (Mexico), Muscat (Oman), Leipzig (Germany) and Gdansk (Poland). Was artistic director of the Rīga professional brass band (2011-2015). Currently – principal conductor of the Latvian National Opera, and since 2010 – on the academic staff of the Latvian Academy of Music and head of the Orchestra-conducting Department.
A chief conductor at the XXVth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festival (2013) and at the XXVIIth All-Latvian Song and XVIIth Dance Festival Massed choir concert “The Field. The Road of Song” (Tīrums. Dziesmas ceļš) (2023).
Winner of the Baltais Zvirbulis (White Sparrow) annual award of the Rīga City Council’s Education, Culture and Sports Department (2013).
