Composer's Workshop: Odaline de la Martinez (Cuban composer and conductor)

The award-winning Cuban composer and conductor Odaline de la Martinez pursues a demanding and successful career composing – particularly opera, conducting repertoire from Mozart symphonies to the latest contemporary music, and recording CDs often with LORELT (Lontano Records) and numerous other labels. Martinez was the first woman to conduct a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984, and has made several return visits since.

Martinez has received numerous awards including a Marshall Scholarship from the British Government and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Imoinda, Part I of her Slavery Opera Trilogy was commissioned by the Caribbean Women Writers’ Alliance with funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. An Opera Grant from Opera America in 2015 allowed her to make the video Selected Scenes from Imoinda. The Crossing Part II her Slavery Opera Trilogy was commissioned by Tulane University and premiered in New Orleans in April 2013, while there as composer in residence, and received its UK Premiere in November 2014 at the opening concert of The Fifth London Festival of American Music. In 2019 the complete opera Imoinda – a Story of Love and Slavery was premiered at the London Festival of American Music. Also in 2019, Martinez received a Gold Badge from the Ivors Academy and Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Surrey. In 2023 the Odaline de la Martinez Award was created by Tulane University in New Orleans.

Four Afro Cuban Poems was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021 and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in 2024. Recent commissions are Cuban Dances for the Belgian ensemble Lilith, Three Afro Cuban Poems for Choir by the ORA Singers, and Studies in Rhythm by Samantha Ege.

Martinez is published by Composers Edition.

www.odalinedelamartinez.com