Martin Handley was born in Oxford, and studied at Cambridge University. He began his career working for six years in German Opera Houses, conducting a broad repertoire of opera, operetta and ballet. He joined the Australian Opera as chorusmaster and conductor in 1981, conducting the Barber of Seville, Giuanni Schicchi, Romeo et Juliette, Falstaff and Lucia. He also recorded with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1984 he returned to England to become chorusmaster for English National Opera, where he spent six years and conducted many performances, including Rigoletto, Eugene Onegin, The Mikado, Carmen, Aida, The Love for Three Oranges and Billy Budd.

He left to become freelance in 1990. As well as symphonic work with the BBC Concert Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, he has guest conducted with D’Oyly Carte Opera, Travelling Opera, Central Festival Opera and Castleward Opera, and was principal conductor for Crystal Clear Opera.

In 1997, he was appointed head of music and House conductor at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. In his two years there he conducted Tosca, Falstaff, Don Giovanni, Aida, Idomeneo and Maskerade.

Since 2000 he has conducted in Germany, France, and the U.S.A, where he led tours for London City Opera of La Traviata, Die Fledermaus and The Magic Flute.

For Grange Park Opera he conducted Cosi fan tutte in 2004, both in the summer festival and on tour.

Martin has worked with the Carl Rosa Company since 2004, conducting The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Merry Widow and The Pirates of Penzance for them, both on tour in the UK, and in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America.

He is a guest coach with the Vilar Young Artists’ Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and at the National Opera Studio.

Martin also pursues a flourishing broadcasting career with BBC Radio 3 and BBC World Service.