The mezzo-soprano, LAILA MARIA SALINS, has enjoyed a richly diverse musical career on both the operatic and concert stages. She has performed with the Zurich Opera, the Latvian National Opera, the New York Opera Ensemble, Connecticut Grand Opera, and the Music Theater Group of New York. She has starred in the premieres of many new American and Latvian operatic and musical theater works. She has given recitals in America, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Australia, and England, and has been active as an interpreter of contemporary music, most recently as the vocal soloist of the New York-based chamber music group, the Ecliptica Ensemble. Ms. Salins was a founding member and musical collaborator in the Latvian music ensemble Kolibri and the original music ensemble Ballistic Cabaret. She is co-author of the music theater piece, The Incredible Adventures of Champagne Charlie, funded by the NEA and produced by the O'Neill Music Theater Workshop; and InSomnia/InSexton, produced by the HERE Arts Center in New York. In 2007 she recorded a CD of Latvian ballads and drinking songs, "Saskandinot."
Reviews:
"Exceptional in her singing ability, feeling for style and performing intensity was Laila Salins in the part of Arsamenes."
-- Neue Zuercher Zeitung, Switzerland
"Highlights of this year's season... include Laila Salins' concert of contemporary composers in the Ave Sol Concert Hall. It is the first time I have heard such a natural, free-flowing performance of 20th century song literature."
-- Anita Uzulniece, Literature and Art, Riga, Latvia
"The demanding alto solo of Rhapsody op. 53 was ideally suited to the soloist Laila Salins, whose strong and highly expressive voice was well supported by the sensitive accompaniment of the orchestra. Laila Salins proved herself to be, moreover, a figure of great artistic maturity, able to extract new insights from Brahms' work."
-- Neue Zurcher Nachrichten, Switzerland
"...notable for a rich and steady voice - Laila Salins."
-- Will Crutchfield, The New York Times
"The strongest performance was that of Laila Salins in the role of Arsamenes. She displayed a commendable facility of vocal production, a rigorous technique and an expressive temperament."
-- Marinella Poli, Corriere Del Ticino, Switzerland
"Miss Salins is an engaging and communicative singer who colors words imaginatively and phrases with considerable sensitivity."
-- Peter G. Davis, The New York Times
“First impressions: the free plasticity of movement of Laila Salins’ cat-like Carmen. The voice has the brightness of a soprano, and the portrayal, too, emphasizes not fatality, but rather a boundless vitality and love of life.”
--Literature and Art, Riga, Latvia
"Laila Salins' Anna brings a rich, deep quality to her duets with Elizabeth, and power and dynamism to her solos."
-- Malcolm L. Johnson, The Hartford Courant
"As Irene, who leads Theodora unto the path of the Christian faith, she takes a central part in Handel's drama of the soul in this oratorio, fully accomplishing this task both vocally and dramatically."
-- Luzern Tageblatt, Switzerland
"Laila Maria Salins sang and acted the best as Joe's long-suffering but not boring wife."
-- Leighton Kerner, The Village Voice