Published: 23 April 2012
Category: Vocal & Opera

This month Karita Mattila returns to the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to star in Janáček’s The Makropoulos Case.

Mattila will sing the role of Emilia Marty, a celebrated diva in possession of a formula for eternal life, who must fight against her destiny as her perpetual youth erodes her soul. This will be Mattila’s third Janáček heroine at the Met, following the title roles of Jenufa and Kát’a Kabanová. Her performance of Emilia Marty for San Francisco Opera in 2010 earned sensational reviews: “Mme. Mattila absorbed every musical movement in a dramatic performance so complete that it will become legendary as it traverses the world” (Opera Today).

Mattila’s many performances at the Met, which include the title roles of Salome and Manon Lescaut, have always been vivacious and daring and have earned her a reputation as an electrifying actress. Director Elijah Moshinsky, who created this staging in 1996 for Jessye Norman, has recently said of Mattila in the New York Post: “She’s a daring actress willing to go places most opera singers won’t." Mattila will reprise the role in September this year with Finnish National Opera.

The Makropoulos Case is conducted by Czech expert Jirí Behlolávek and will open on 27 April.

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