soprano
Karita Mattila
Biography
Internationally revered for her lyric vocal beauty and commanding theatrical presence, Karita Mattila continues to captivate audiences worldwide in a career spanning more than four decades. The Finnish soprano has garnered critical acclaim for her dramatic portrayals and celebrated interpretations of 20th-century and contemporary repertoire.
This season begins with a return to her native Finland for the closing concert at the Sibelius Festival in Lahti, a recital in Iitti, and masterclasses at the Finnish National Opera followed by returns to NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Dresdner Philharmonie for concert performances of Elektra.
Highlights from last season include returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Jenůfa; the National Theatre Prague for Jenůfa; Opéra national de Paris for Suor Angelica; ABAO Bilbao Opera for Suor Angelica; and the Gran Teatre del Liceu for Rusalka.
Operatic highlights of Mattila’s recent seasons include Salome at Opéra National de Paris, Canadian Opera Company, and Houston Grand Opera; Elektra at Deutsche Oper Berlin and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Suor Angelica at the Salzburg Festival; La voix humaine at Finnish National Opera; Jenůfa in Claus Guth’s award-winning production at The Royal Opera, Covent Garden; Lohengrin at the Savonlinna Festival; and The Makropulos Case at Opéra national de Paris.
Mattila is a two-time Grammy Award winner for Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg under Sir Georg Solti and Jenůfa under Bernard Haitink. Her extensive discography includes Vier letzte Lieder under Claudio Abbado (Deutsche Grammophon) and her 40th birthday concert from Helsinki (Ondine).
Her distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Order of the Lion of Finland (First Class Commander), Musical America’s Musician of the Year, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for her performances in Jenůfa and The Makropulos Case.
Mattila studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Liisa Linko-Malmio and later with Vera Rózsa. A sought-after mentor, she has recently led masterclasses at the Peabody Institute, Lauluakatemia Helsinki, the Birgit Nilsson Museum, Wigmore Hall (in partnership with the Sibelius Academy and Keval Shah), and Savonlinna Music Academy.