Biography
Finnish soprano Karita Mattila sings Marie (Wozzeck, her role debut) and Prima Donna/Ariadne (Ariadne auf Naxos) for The Royal Opera in the 2013/14 Season. Mattila made her Royal Opera debut in 1986 as Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte) and has since sung Countess Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Agathe (Der Freischütz), Musetta (La bohème), Elisabeth de Valois (Don Carlos), Elsa (Lohengrin), Liza (The Queen of Spades), Chrysothemis (Elektra), the title roles in Jenufa and Arabella, Amelia (Un ballo in maschera) and Leonore (Fidelio) for The Royal Opera.
Born in Finland, Mattila studied singing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and shot to fame after she won the 1983 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. She originally specialized in Mozart operas, before moving into a broader repertory including roles by Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss, Puccini and Janácek. Since 2011 her appearances have included Liza at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, Jenufa for Bavarian State Opera and Emilia Marty (The Makropulos Affair) in Helsinki.
Mattila is also an active concert singer and recitalist, performing regularly throughout Europe with leading orchestras and accompanists, in repertory ranging from Strauss’s Vier letzte Lieder to contemporary Finnish songs. Her many recordings include an acclaimed disc of Jenufa recorded at the Royal Opera House, CDs of arias and orchestral songs, and many opera DVDs. Her awards include Musical America’s Musician of the Year, and she is a Chevalier des arts et des letters.
News and features
Your reaction: Ariadne auf Naxos
26 June 2014
What did you think of Christof Loy's production of Richard Strauss's tragi-comedic opera?
Listen: Karita Mattila - 'It's never too late for a debut!'
20 June 2014
The Finnish soprano tells BBC Radio 3 about the challenges of needing two voices in Ariadne auf Naxos, and hints at future plans.
Karita Mattila: Our favourite clips
29 April 2014
In preparation for the Finnish soprano's performances as Ariadne auf Naxos, we look over some of her finest YouTube moments.
Your reaction: Wozzeck
1 November 2013
What did you think of Keith Warner's production of Alban Berg's dark and tragic opera?
BBC Radio 3 Broadcasts confirmed for Autumn/Winter 2013/14
30 August 2013
Seven Royal Opera performances starring Simon Keenlyside, Karita Mattila, Renée Fleming, Jonas Kaufmann and others.
Photos
Karita Mattila © Lauri Eriksson
Roberto Saccà as Bacchus and Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Roberto Saccà as Bacchus and Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Karita Mattila as Ariadne and Roberto Saccà as Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Karita Mattila in Ariadne auf Naxos, The Royal Opera © ROH/Catherine Ashmore, 2014
Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Kiandra Howarth as Echo, Wynne Evans as Scaramuccio, Paul Schweinester as Brighella, Karita Mattila as Ariadne, Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta and Jeremy White as Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta and Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Christoph Quest as Major Domo and Karita Mattila as Ariadne auf Naxos in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Karita Mattila as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2014
Simon Keenlyside as Wozzeck and Karita Mattila as Marie in Wozzeck © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
Karita Mattila as Marie, Endrik Wottrich as Drum Major and Sebastian Wright as the Child in Wozzeck © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
Simon Keenlyside as Wozzeck and Karita Mattila as Marie in Wozzeck © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
Karita Mattila as Marie in Wozzeck © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
Karita Mattila as Marie and Sebastian Wright as the Child in Wozzeck © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
Karita Mattila
