Jessé Martins is a conductor, pianist, and voice coach who has extensive experience working with all types of singers from children to seasoned professionals. In Sarasota Opera’s 2024 Winter Festival, Maestro Martins is conducting Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.
For Sarasota Opera’s 2022-2023 Season, Maestro Martins was the Director of the Studio Artists Program, conductor for the Youth Opera production of Dean Burry’s The Secret World of Og, and understudy conductor for Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio Segreto, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Massenet’s Thérèse. Since joining the music staff of Sarasota Opera in 2011, he has been integrally involved in all aspects of the company’s musicmaking. He conducted Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (2019), Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (2021), and Donizetti’s La fille du régiment (2022). Maestro Martins was the Chorus Master & Head of the Apprentice Program during the 2020 Winter Festival and has performed as pianist in many concerts for the company and throughout the area.
As Youth Opera Music Director for Sarasota Opera since 2011, Maestro Martins has conducted the world premiere of Rachel J. Peters’ Rootabga Country, the U.S. premiere of Dean Burry’s The Secret World of OG, Britten’s The Little Sweep, Dean Burry’s The Hobbit, Krása’s Brundibár and was the associate conductor for the world premiere of Daron Hagen’s Little Nemo in Slumberland.
In collaboration with Martha Collins he co-wrote and conducted 2 works for the Sarasota Youth Opera Raise Up Your Voice – Intolerance Through The Voices of Children, and Let’s Put on an Opera. As part of the music staff Martins was the cover conductor for Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, and L’italiana in Algeri, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni, Eugene D’Albert’s Tiefland, Catalani’s La Wally, Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona, Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto, Massenet’s Thérèse, and Haydn’s Deceit Outwitted.
He has worked extensively as a coach in his native Brazil, New Zealand, and now the Sarasota opera and area. He is also a member of the Sarasota Piano Trio.
Martins has dedicated much of his professional career working as a pianist in his home country Brazil, New Zealand, England, and the United States. He holds a Master of Arts in Collaborative Piano from Mansfield University (PA), and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre, Brazil).
While a Graduate Assistant at Mansfield University, Mr. Martins was involved in many projects such as Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Richard Strauss’ Melodramas for piano and narrator, George Crumb’s 11 Echoes of Autumn, George Flynn’s Chicago Mood, and the Recital Winds & Strings Sweep into the 20th Century as part of the Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival (NY). He also traveled with the University's Concert Choir to the UK, and the Eisteddfod competition in Wales.
Since relocating to Sarasota, Mr. Martins has kept a presence outside the opera house by collaborating with other artists in recitals throughout the community, including multiple concerts with ensemblenewSRQ.
Prior to his graduate studies Mr. Martins was the Assistant Music Director and Program Manager for the Opera Factory Theater (Auckland, New Zealand) – a training center for young singers where he performed the roles of Assistant Coach on David Griffiths’ The Three Franks, Phillip Norman’s A Factory Opera and Pleasure Garden, Rod Biss’ Marriage a la mode, Menotti’s The Consul, Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea, Bizet’s Doctor Miracle; and Music Director on Krasa’s Brundibar, Britten’s Albert Herring, Arthur Benjamin’s Prima Donna, Menotti’s The boy who grew too fast and The Telephone, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, Arne’s Thomas and Sally, and Mozart’s The Impresario. While in New Zealand Mr. Martins had the chance to work with world renowned soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, British Maestro Sir Andrew Davis, and chorus repetiteur for NBR NZ Opera’s Jenůfa by Leoš Janáček.
2023 - 2024
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2023-2024 Season
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
(conductor)
By Gaetano Donizetti
February 24 - March 23, 2024
Deceit leads to murder and madness, in Donizetti's masterpiece, based on Sir Walter Scott's The Bride of Lammermoor. To save his family's fortunes, Enrico Ashton has promised his sister Lucia's hand to a Scottish nobleman, instead of Edgardo, the man she loves, and a member of a rival family. The ensuing drama is excitingly captured in Donizetti's beautifully romantic music, with many well-known operatic highlights including Lucia's famous mad scene.
THE MUSIC OF GIACOMO PUCCINI
(cover conductor)
November 10 & 12
The operas of Giacomo Puccini are some of the most popular in the repertoire. Soloists from Sarasota Opera, partnering with the Sarasota Orchestra, conducted by Victor DeRenzi will present favorite selections from these great works in concert.
LET’S PUT ON AN OPERA & THE LITTLE SWEEP
(conductor)
By Benjamin Britten | A Sarasota Youth Opera Production
November 4 at 5 pm; November 5 at 12:30 pm
Sarasota Youth Opera will present a revival of our acclaimed production of Britten's charming opera—The Little Sweep. A group of children, with the help of a kind nursery maid, work to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master. Last seen in 2018, this enchanting work, which was written to introduce young people to opera, will be sure to delight children and adults alike.
JENNIFER ROWLEY’S ARIA BOOTCAMP
August 7 through August 18, 2023
(Vocal coach / pianist)
Sarasota, FL
2022 - 2023
2023 SPRING CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
(pianist)
SONGBIRD
SAINT-SAENS MAHLER CHARPENTIER DONIZETTI PUCCINI PREVIN LISZT VERDI FLOYD DVORAK PUCCINI LEONCAVALLO
Hanna Brammer, soprano
Elizabeth Novella, soprano
APRIL 5 at 4:30pm
VIRTUOSI
BACH DVORAK GRANADOS VIEUXTEMPS SARASATE
ZHAN-HAO/GANG BLOCH IGUADESMAN
George Maxman, violin
Sara Maxman, violin
APRIL 12 at 4:30pm
potpourri
ARBOS VILLANI-CÔRTES MASSENET MASCAGNI
SARASOTA PIANO TRIO
Milene Moreira, violin
Nadine Trudel, cello
Jessé Martins, piano
APRIL 19 at 4:30pm
TALENTO
BACH MOZART MENDELSSOHN ENESCO VERHEY IBERT
Winners of the 2023 Edward and Ida Wilkof Young Artists Concerto Competition
Elijah Luzginov, violin
Cole Laudenslager, flute
APRIL 26 at 4:30pm
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
Chamber music for Flute, Basson, and Piano
Donizetti / Hüe / Liszt / Tansman / Piazzolla
Betsy Hudson Traba, flute
Fernando Traba, bassoon
Sarasota Bay Club - Monday 4/20 @ 8 pm
Temple Sinai Winter Music Program - Sunday 4/23 @ 3:30pm
St. Boniface Church in Siesta Key - Sunday 4/30 @ 6pm
Music Matinees
Sarasota Concert Association
HER JOURNEY
Chamber music by women composers through the centuries
Le Beau / Strohl / Boulanger
Natalie Helm, cello
Wednesday April 19 @ Noon
David Cohen Hall at the Symphony Center
709 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
sarasota bay club concerts
MARGOT ZARZYCKA
Violin & Piano
April 10 @ 8pm
Isabelle besancon
Sonatas for Cello & Piano
Duparc Brahms
April 17 @ 8pm
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2023 WINTER FESTIVAL
(Studio Artists Program Director)
(cover conductor)
Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart
(cover conductor)
Thérèse by Jules Massenet
2022 FALL CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
(pianist)
NOVEMBER 22 at 6pm
AMERICANA
Ewazen - Stephenson - Clarke - Bolcom
Aaron Romm, trumpet
Sun-Young Shin, violin
NOVEMBER 29 at 6pm
HER JOURNEY
Le Beau / Strohl / Boulanger
Chamber music by women composers
Natalie Helm, cello
DECEMBER 6 at 6pm
LOS TRABAS
Donizetti / Hüe / Tansman / Piazzolla
Betsy Hudson Traba, flute
Fernando Traba, bassoon
Presented by W.H.J.J. Venice Library - 300 Nokomis Ave. S. Venice, FL
ensemble new srq + Sarasota contemporary dance
(pianist)
DECEMBER 1, 2 and 3 at 7pm & DECEMBER 4 at 3pm
ENsrq + scd
Iannis XenakisRebonds B (1989) for solo percussion
Mario CarroAbout Escher (2015) for violin and marimba
Reena EsmailDarshan- Bihag (2021) for solo violin
Bright ShengHot Pepper (2010) for violin and marimba
Lou HarrisonVaried Trio (1987) piano, violin, percussion
For more information and tickets go HERE.
ASOLO THEATER - 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2022 Fall season
(Studio Artists Program Director)
(conductor)
The Secret World of Og
by Dean Burry
presented by the Sarasota Youth Opera
November 5 & 6
(cover conductor)
Il matrimonio segreto
by Cimarosa
October-November
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
st. mark’s concert series
(pianist)
NOVEMBER 13 at 7:30pm
beauty
A program of women composers
Natalie Helm, cello
St. Mark Episcopal Church - 513 Nassau Street S. - Venice, FL
ensemble new srq
(pianist)
OCTOBER 10 at 7:30pm
FIRST VOICES
Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ TateTalowa’ Hiloha (Thunder Song) (1994) for solo timpani
Inti Figgis-VizuetaImago (2021) for string quartet
Elizabeth OgonekLightenings (2016) for violin, piano, clarinet, percussion
Michael BegayCloak of Autumn (2018) for string quartetGabriela
OrtizPico-Bite-Beat (2018) for percussion, string quartet and electronics
For more information and tickets go HERE.
First Congregational Church - 1031 S Euclid Ave, Sarasota
JENNIFER ROWLEY’S ARIA BOOTCAMP
August 5 through 13
(Vocal coach / pianist)
Sarasota, FL
UNKNOWN TREASURES
Chamber music by Women Composers
presented by Sarasota Piano Trio
Milene Moreira, violin - Nadine Trudel, cello - Jessé Martins, piano
Sarasota Bay Club - Monday 5/2 @ 8 pm
2022 SPRING CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
(pianist)
Presented by W.H.J.J. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S. Venice, FL
APRILL 22 at 3pm
Melange
Fauré / Villa-Lobos / Boulanger / Lysenko / Schumann
Natalie Helm, cello
APRIL 29 at 3pm
Opera & Song
Hanna Brammer, soprano
Alexander C. Boyd, baritone
MAY 5 at 4pm
Unknown Treasures
Vern-Bredt / Bonis / Chaminade
Sarasota Piano Trio
Milene Moreira, violin - Nadine Trudel, cello - Jessé Martins, piano
SOIREE SERIES - Artists Series Concerts
(Pianist)
Natalie Helm, cello
April 17, 2022 3pm & April 18, 2022 7pm
Fischer/Weisenborne Residence
HERE for more info
2021-2022
JUBILEE CONCERT
(Pianist)
The Sarasota Opera House will be the scene of great celebration as the company pays tribute to Maestro DeRenzi’s 40th anniversary. The event will feature soprano Anna Mandina, mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez, tenor Jonathan Burton, baritone Joshua Benaim, and bass Kevin Short. Special video tributes to the Maestro will include numerous past members of the company and celebrities who have performed with opera companies throughout the world.
March 26, 2022 6:15pm
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
HERE for more info
PELICAN CULTURAL CONCERTS
(Pianist)
Natalie Helm, cello
(Principal Cellist - Sarasota Orchestra)
March 23, 2022
HERE for more info
VOICES OF SARASOTA OPERA
(Conductor)
March 20, 2022 7:30pm - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
HERE for more info
This concert features Sarasota Opera Apprentice and Studio Artists, and singers of the Sarasota Youth Opera with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra conducted by Jessé Martins. This concert will also include the American premiere of newly discovered ballet music for Verdi’s Nabucco conducted by Victor DeRenzi.
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2022 WINTER FESTIVAL
(Conductor) La Fille du Régiment by Donizetti
HERE for more info
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
February 19, 2022 7:30PM
February 23, 2022 7:30PM
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2021 FALL SEASON
(Cover Conductor) La scala di seta by Rossini
HERE for more info
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
lyrical dreams
Sarasota Piano Trio in Concert at Sarasota Opera
HERE for more info
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
November 5 at 5pm
2021 FALL CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
Presented by W.H.J.J. Venice Library
Chamber Music for Strings and Piano
Streaming available on VIMEO
OCTOBER 1ST - Milene Moreira, violin
& Matthew Pegis, viola
NOVEMBER 1ST - Sarasota Piano Trio
DECEMBER 1st - Natalie Helm, cello
the versatile pianist
presented by the Sarasota Music Archive
Susan Versage, formerly with the New York City Opera and Jesse Martins, currently associated with the Sarasota Opera, will provide insight into the life of a pianist in an opera company. Anecdotes plus performances will add up to a greater appreciation of the inner workings of the opera world.
HERE for more info
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium - Selby Library
September 29 at 10:30am
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2021 SPRING FESTIVAL
(Resident Artists Program Director) &
(Conductor) Dido and Aeneas by Purcell
HERE for more info
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
April 11 to April 25 (Streaming available)
2021 SPRING CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
Presented by William H. Jervey Jr., Venice Public Library
CONCERTS:
Sarasota Music Conservatory’s Faculty String Quartet
Flute & Piano - Justin Brown-Gnarra & Jesse Martins
Piano works by Opera composers - Jesse Martins
Clarinet & Piano - Sergey Gutorov & Jesse Martins
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2021 WINTER FESTIVAL
(Cover Conductor) La Serva Padrona by Pergolesi
HERE for more info
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
February 19 to March 4
SOLITUDE & SUFFRAGE (ensemblenewsrq)
Presented by enSRQ - to watch click HERE
Pianist
Monday, January 18 @ 8pm
http://ensrq.org/#solitude-and-suffrage
SONATAS
Justin Brown-Gnarra, flute
Jesse Martins, piano
Presented by Sarasota Bay Club
Monday, January 4 @ 6:30pm and 8:15pm
Works by Bach, Schubert, and Dvorak
2019-2020
2020 FALL CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES
WITH JESSE MARTINS, PIANO
Presented by William H. Jervey Jr., Venice Public Library - Streaming
CONCERT # 1 - NOV 25
Jack Gallahan, cello
(Works by Faure, Beethoven, and Chopin)
To watch click HERE
CONCERT #2 - DEC 2
Justin Brown-Gnarra, flute
(Works by Bach, Schubert, and Dovrak)
To watch click HERE
CONCERT #3 - DEC 9
“Los Trabas” Betsy Hudson Traba, flute & Fernando Traba, bassoon
(Works by Saint-Saens, Bloch, and Piazzolla)
To watch click HERE
CONCERT #4 - DEC 16
“Sarasota Piano Trio” Milene Moreira, violin & Nadine Trudel, cello
(Works by Turina & Bridge)
To watch click HERE
CONCERT #5 - DEC 23
“Opera Spectacular”
Hanna Brammer, soprano & Alex C. Boyd, baritone
To watch click HERE
SARASOTA OPERA - FALL CONCERT SEASON
Jesse Martins & George Hemcher, piano
Join us for favorite opera selections by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Wagner, and Mozart.
Sopranos Hanna Brammer, Anna Mandina and Caitlin Crabill
Tenors Andrew Surrena and Samuel Schlievert
Baritone Alexander Boyd
Bass Young Bok Kim
AT THE OPERA HOUSE
November 13 @ 7:30pm - live-streamed for the first time in Sarasota Opera’s history!
November 15 @ 1:30pm
AT MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS
November 17 @ 5:30pm (SOLD OUT)
AT HISTORICAL SPANISH POINT
November 19 @ 5:30pm (SOLD OUT)
QUARANTINA CONCERT
(Pianist)
Jack Gallahan, cello
Online Concert presented by St. Boniface Episcopal Church
October 12
QUARANTINA CONCERT - SARASOTA PIANO TRIO
(Pianist)
Milene Moreira, violin
Nadine Trudel, cello
Online Concert presented by St. Boniface Episcopal Church
September 30
SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA's VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP
(Music Director, Chorus Instructor)
Summer virtual camp was a two-week virtual workshop held by Sarasota Opera in June that immersed young people in all aspects of opera.
June 8 through 19
FLORIDA TOSCA AND FRIENDS
(Pianist)
Jennifer Rowley, soprano
Rafael Davila, tenor
Raymond Diaz, baritone
Online Concert presented by Opera Naples
May 30
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2020 WINTER FESTIVAL
(Chorus Master & Head of the Apprentice Program)
La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini
Romeo et Juliette by Charles Gounod
L’Elisir d’Amore by Gaetano Donizetti
La Wally by Alfredo Catalani
William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
February 8 – March 22
BRUNDIBÁr & RAISE UP YOUR VOICE (2019)
Hans Krása Martha Collins & Jesse Martins
(Conductor)
Sarasota Youth Opera - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
November 15, and 16 at 7 pm
INTERNATIONAL SOUNDSCAPES
Works by Haydn, Shostakovich, Arbós, Villani-Côrtes
Milene Moreira, violin
Nadine Trudel, cello
Jesse Martins, piano
Sarasota Bay Club - Thursday 6/27 @ 8 pm
Venice Public Library - Friday 9/27 @ 3 pm
SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA's SUMMER CAMP (2019)
Music Director, Chorus Instructor
Summer camp is a three-week, hands-on workshop held at the Sarasota Opera House every June that immerses young people in all aspects of opera.
June 10 through 28 - Sarasota Opera
2018-2019
SARASOTA OPERA'S 2019 WINTER FESTIVAL
(Conductor) Die Zauberflöte
W.A. Mozart
Sarasota Opera - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
Sat 2/16 @ 7:30 pm
Tue 2/19 @ 7:30 pm
Thu 2/21 @ 7:30 pm
Sun 2/24 @ 1:30 pm (Matinee)
Wed 2/27 @ 7:30 pm
Fri 3/1 @ 7:30 pm
Sat 3/16 @ 1:30 pm (Matinee)
Thu 3/21 @ 7:30 pm
Sat 3/23 @ 7:30 pm
OPERA IN TRIO (2018)
Works by Puccini, Mascagni, and others
Milene Moreira, violin Nadine Trudel, cello Jesse Martins, piano
Sarasota Bay Club - Monday 11/6 @ 8pm
THE LITTLE SWEEP & Let’s put on an opera
Benajmin Britten Martha Collins & Jesse Martins
(Conductor)
Sarasota Youth Opera - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
11/3 @ 5:30pm
11/4 @ 12:30pm
RECITAL: VIOLONCELLO AND PIANO
Works by Grieg, Poulenc, Delius, Villa-Lobos
Nadine Trudel, cello
Sarasota Bay Club - 9/24 @ 8 pm
SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA's SUMMER CAMP
Music Director, Chorus Instructor
Summer camp is a three-week, hands-on workshop held at the Sarasota Opera House every June that immerses young people in all aspects of opera.
June 11 through 29 - Sarasota Opera
2017-2018
LOST LANDSCAPES (ensemblenewsrq)
Helen Grime's Snow and Snow / Einojuhani Rautavaara's Lost Landscapes
Pianist
ensembleNewSRQ - First Congregational Church - 9/18
ROOTABAGA COUNTRY (world premiere)
A Children's Opera in One Act
Music and Libretto by Rachel J. Peters
Conductor
Sarasota Youth Opera - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater - 11/11 & 11/12
Sarasota opera's winter festival
Youth Chorus Master - CARMEN (Bizet)
Understudy Conductor - TIEFLAND (Eugene D'Albert)
Sarasota Opera - William E. Schmidt Opera Theater
walt matzke's four pianos
Pianist
The Palladium - St. Petersburg
Sunday 2/11
YOUTH OPERA IN CONCERT
The ensembles from the Sarasota Youth Opera performing from the operatic repertoire.
Saturday 4/14 @ 11am - Selby Public Library - Downtown, Sarasota
Friday 4/27 @ 7pm - Freedom Village, Bradenton
Sunday 4/22 @ 6pm - Music at St. Boniface Series - St. Boniface Episcopal Church - Siesta Key
spring showcase (Sarasota BALLET)
Featuring performances from The Sarasota Ballet's Studio Company, The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory, The Sarasota Youth Opera and the Sarasota Music Conservatory!
Sunday 4/29 @ 7pm - www.sarasotaballet.org
RECITAL: VIOLIN AND PIANO
Giordano Scarano, violin - works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann.
Sunday 4/8 @ 4pm - Christ Episcopal Church, Bradenton FL
Sunday 5/6 @ 4pm - St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key FL
Wednesday 5/23 @ 7pm - Braden River High School, Bradenton FL
A STRADIVARIUS AND A STEINWAY
RECITAL: VIOLONCELLO and PIANO
Cameron Crozman, cello - works by Chopin, Delius, Beethoven, others
Wednesday 4/11 - Steinwalchs
Recital: voice and piano
Natalie Almeter, soprano - works by Verdi, Mascagni, Strauss, Wolf, Argento, Debusy, others
Friday 4/20 @ 7pm
Sunday 4/22 @ 2pm - St. Joseph Church, Bradenton FL
the daughter of the regiment
2022
the magic flute
2019
dido and aeneas
2021
“Conductor Jesse Martin kept the pace up with tempos that might challenge the singers with fast patter, but the orchestra was spot on as usual. Donizetti’s music is melodically beautiful, and he used the orchestra well. An alpine horn solo marked the opening of the first act and the strings played a delightful laendler, an alpine folk dance in three, to open act two. “
“For me the outstanding performance of the evening was from Youth Opera Conductor Jesse Martins, in a brilliant debut. For several years now, he has coached the youth opera and conducted its annual productions, but this is his first production with the main company. Never overbalancing the singers, he both led and accompanied them beautifully with a good understanding of Mozart’s style, never missing a cue in a score rife with pitfalls for any conductor. Let’s hope he receives other such opportunities in the future.” Edward Alley - YourObserver
“Jesse Martins conducts the Baroque string ensemble with continuo in the pit. This is not a bombastic score, but the lift and ebullience of Baroque music is exceptionally delivered.”