Samuel Mariño’s unique vocal talent and glittering stage presence have already earned him a stellar reputation and allowed him to explore both baroque and classical repertoire much to the delight of his audiences around the world.
This season, Samuel makes anticipated returns to Australia and Canada, presenting a new programme with Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – Desperate Heroines - featuring Cleopatra, Rodelinda, and Alcina arias, and reuniting with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto. He also makes his first appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia. In Europe, Samuel reunites with Concerto de Cavalieri on tour, with Gabetta Consort for performances of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and his programme Delirio, and reprises the role of Oberto (Alcina) with ensemble Les Épopées under Stephen Fuget. He joins Thüringen Philharmonie for a program of Mozart arias and Beethoven’s Ah! Perfido and Heidelburg Sinfoniker in special New Year's concerts, both under Michael Hofstetter and with long-time collaborators. L’Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles gives performances in Paris and on tour in China. He returns to Konzerthaus Berlin, showcasing Königin der Nacht arias, and he makes his role and house debuts at Theater Dortmund as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro).
Standout debuts have dominated recent seasons including Samuel's first appearances in North America with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Camerata Pacifica in LA and Santa Barbara, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra conducted by Paul Dyer, and closer to home at Konzerthaus Berlin with Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under Keri-Lynn Wilson for the benefit opera gala Rebuild Ukraine. He also presented a program of Mozart, Gluck, and lesser-known Cimarosa and Bologne arias at Den Norske Opera, returning last season as part of the Norway Pride 50th Anniversary Concert, which was televised via NRK1. Recent operatic roles include Zambinella in a new Handel opera pastiche Sarrasine (based on the Balzac novel of the same name) at the Handel Festival in Göttingen, as well as his UK opera debut as Iris in Glyndebourne Festival’s first-ever production of Handel’s Semele with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Václav Luks.
In recital, Samuel appeared with Pro Arte Musical at the Pablo Casals Symphony Hall in Puerto Rico, joined by pianist Jonathan Ware last season, and a burgeoning discography includes his first album on the Decca label, Sopranista! (nominated in two Opus Klassik awards in 2023), alongside Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal released on the Versailles Spectacles label, as well as his debut solo album Care pupille – a collection of rarities by Handel and Gluck with Handelfestspielorchester Halle, released on Orfeo. His latest single, Viajera del río, with guitarist Plínio Fernandes was released in November 2023 (Decca).
Samuel originally trained as a ballet dancer at the Venezuelan National School of Dance, before beginning his musical studies in piano and voice at the National Conservatory of Music. In 2017, he was awarded the Interpretation Award at the Opéra de Marseille International Singing Competition and won the Neue Stimmen Audience prize. He is currently closely mentored by the renowned soprano Barbara Bonney, and is the recipient of a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Salzburg. Samuel founded Ensemble Teseo in 2019, aiming to bring forgotten Baroque works and techniques into the mainstream.