Laurentiu Rotaru Bass-baritone

Laurentiu Rotaru, bass-baritone, is a native of Romania, currently living in Hartford, CT. He started his intensive music training at The Conservatory of Bucharest – Romania, and he performed for one year at The National Opera of Bucharest. In the same time, he performed as a soloist in numerous ensembles in Bucharest, touring Romania, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Italy, and The United States.  He has a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Central Connecticut State University, and a Master of Music degree from University of Connecticut.

In October 2004 Mr. Rotaru made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing in a concert with Connecticut Lyric Opera.

Mr. Rotaru was a winner of The National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (2004) and of The Connecticut Guild Opera Competition (2004); he was a finalist of Amici Competition (2005) and The Connecticut Guild Opera Competition (2005). In 2007, he received the Francesco & Hilda Riggio Award at the Metropolitan Opera National  Competition, New England region.

His operatic repertoire includes roles such as Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Méphistophélès in Faust, Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Sarastro in The Magic Flute,   Achillas in Julius Caesar, Benoit and Alcindoro in La Boheme, Bartolo and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Frère Laurent in Romeo et Juliettte.

His former Seminary education positively influenced his interpretation of oratorio music, which he takes great pleasure and ease in performing. His oratorio repertoire includes Dvorak’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Faure’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, Pergolesi’s Magnificat, Dvorak’s Mass in D Major, and Handel’s Messiah.