© Lauri Eriksson
Winner of the first 'Singer of the World' competition in Cardiff, Karita Mattila is one of the most illustrious soprano singers in the world today. She is recognised as much for the beauty and versatility of her lyric voice as for her extraordinary stage ability. Under such conductors as Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen, she sings in all the major opera houses and festivals of the world performing repertoire which encompasses Mozart, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and Janácek. Her affinity with the dramatic side of opera has produced marvellous results when working with fine stage directors such as Luc Bondy who helped her to achieve a remarkable performance in his highly acclaimed
Don Carlos, seen in Paris, London and at the Edinburgh Festival. Likewise, Lev Dodin in his productions of
Elektra for the Salzburg Easter Festival and
Pique Dame and
Salome at the Opera Bastille, Peter Stein for his production of
Simon Boccanegra in Salzburg, Robert Carsen in his production of
Lohengrin at the Bastille and Jürgen Flimm for his
Fidelio in New York.
Throughout her distinguished career, Karita Mattila has garnered numerous awards and prizes. In 2005 she was named Musical America's 'Musician of the Year', one of the most prestigious honours paid to classical artists in the USA. In 2003 she was awarded one of France's highest cultural honours, the title 'Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres'. In 2001 The New York Times chose Karita Mattila as the best singer of the year for her performance in
Fidelio at the Metropolitan Opera, and in the same year she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award 'Outstanding Achievement in Opera' for both Jenufa and Lisa in
Pique Dame at the Royal Opera House.
Karita Mattila has an extensive opera and Lied discography. Two of her opera recordings,
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and
Jenufa, earned her Grammy Awards. Her most successful solo albums have been released on Ondine.
More information:
IMG Artists
Intermusica
Operabase
Karita Mattila Forum