Michael Leopold

theorbo

Michael Leopold holds both an undergraduate degree in music and a master’s degree in historical plucked instruments from American Universities as well a degree in lute and theorbo from L’Istituto di Musica Antica of the Accademia Internazionale della Musica in Milan, Italy. Originally from Northern California, he continues to reside in Milan and has performed both as a soloist and as an accompanist throughout Europe, Australia, Japan, Chile, Mexico and the United States.

Michael has played with a number of leading Italian early music groups, including Concerto Italiano, La Risonanza, La Venexiana and La Pietà de’ Turchini and several American period-instrument ensembles. He has also collaborated with several orchestras and opera companies, including Orchestra Verdi di Milano, Opera Australia, San Francisco Opera, Barcelona Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Gulbenkian Mùsica, and Portland Opera. He can be heard in recordings on theStradivarius, Glossa, Naïve, and Naxos labels.

“Michael Leopold was a standout on theorbo, providing some of the most sensitive and heartfelt musical moments of the evening,”
Kathryn Bacasmot, Chicago Classical Music 1 May 2012.Teseo, Chicago Opera Theater

“High marks especially to the marvelous theorbo, lute and baroque guitar specialist, Michael Leopold, whose recitatives added dazzling color.”
Harvey Steiman, Seen and Heard International 7 November 2011. Xerxes, San Francisco Opera).