# Karita Mattila, soprano > Karita Mattila, soprano – 33 recordings on Ondine. "...the most electrifying singing actress of our day, the kind of performer who renews an aging art form… Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/mattila-karita - **Role:** soprano - **Photo:** © Lauri Eriksson > "...the most electrifying singing actress of our day, the kind of performer who renews an aging art form and drives the public into frenzies." (Musical America, Musician of the Year Award 2005) ## Biography Winner of the first 'Singer of the World' competition in Cardiff, Karita Mattila 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 has sang 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. ## Discography on Ondine (33) - [Jean Sibelius: Winter with Sibelius · (Digital Album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1450-2.md): Various (ODE 1450-2, 2024) - [Jean Sibelius: Autumn with Sibelius · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1440-2.md): Various (ODE 1440-2, 2023) - [Jean Sibelius: Spring with Sibelius · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1415-2.md): Various (ODE 1415-2, 2023) - [Kaija Saariaho: 70 Years · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1407-2.md): Various (ODE 1407-2, 2023) - [Finland 100: A Century of Finnish Classics · 5 CD collection celebrating 100 years of Finland's independence · Orchestral Works I & II · Concertos · Vocal Works · Chamber Music](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1300-2q.md): Various Finnish artist, orchestras and conductors (ODE 1300-2Q, 2016) - [Kaija Saariaho: Works for Orchestra](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1113-2q.md): Jukka-Pekka Saraste (ODE 1113-2Q, 2012) - [Karita Mattila: Helsinki Recital (ODV 4004)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4004.md): Duparc · Saariaho · Rachmaninov · Dvorák · Karita Mattila, soprano · Martin Katz, piano · + Bonus CD (Lieder By German and Finnish composers) (ODV 4004, 2010) - [The Irresistible Karita Mattila](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1171-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano (ODE 1171-2, 2010) - [Kiitosta soi lauluni: Kauneimpia hengellisiä lauluja](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1170-2d.md): Soile Isokoski · Karita Mattila · Jorma Hynninen · Sauli Tiilikainen · Esa Ruuttunen · Tapiolan Kuoro (ODE 1170-2D, 2010) - [Kaija Saariaho: Notes on Light · Orion · Mirage](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1130-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Anssi Karttunen, cello · Orchestre de Paris · Christoph Eschenbach, conductor (ODE 1130-2, 2008) - [Karita Mattila: Fever](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1105-2.md): Karita Mattila, vocals · accompanied by pianist-conductor Kirmo Lintinen and his band (ODE 1105-2, 2007) - [Karita Mattila: Helsinki Recital (ODE 1100-5)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1100-5.md): Duparc · Saariaho · Rachmaninov · Dvorák · Karita Mattila, soprano · Martin Katz, piano (ODE 1100-5, 2007) - [Karita's Christmas](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1010-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Pertti Pekkanen, conductor (ODE 1010-2, 2002) - [Karitan Joulu. Kauneimpia joululauluja](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1009-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Pertti Pekkanen, conductor (ODE 1009-2, 2002) - [Karita Live!](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-968-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Finnish RSO · Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor (ODE 968-2, 2000) - [Karita Mattila: Lauluja merelle · (Songs by Lasse Mårtenson)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-907-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Riku Niemi, conductor (ODE 907-2, 1998) - [Karita Mattila: Wild Rose · Beethoven · Schubert · Schumann · Brahms · Mahler](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-897-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Ilmo Ranta, piano (ODE 897-2, 1997) - [Karita Mattila: From the Heart of Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-892-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Ilmo Ranta, piano (ODE 892-2, 1996) - [Jean Sibelius: Songs](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-856-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Ilmo Ranta, piano (ODE 856-2, 1995) - [Karita Mattila: Wonderful - favourites by Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Andrew Llyod Webber and others](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-848-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Pekka Savijoki, conductor (ODE 848-2, 1995) - [Kaipainen · Meriläinen · Klami · Nielsen · Strauss: Stjärnenatten · Metamorfora for 7 · Rag-Time and Blues · Serenata in Vano · Till Eulenspiegel - Einmal anders!](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-792-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Lahti Chamber Ensemble · Osmo Vänskä, conductor (ODE 792-2, 1992) - [Opera Gala: Famous arias featuring · Karita Mattila · Elina Garanca · Soile Isokoski · Juha Uusitalo · Tommi Hakala · Jorma Hynninen](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1139-2f.md): Soile Isokoski, soprano · Karita Mattila, soprano · Elina Garanca, mezzo-soprano · Jorma Hynninen, baritone · Tommi Hakala, baritone · Juha Uusitalo, bass-baritone · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Estonian Symphony Orchestra · Eri Klas, conductor · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Latvian National Symphony Orchestra · Alexandrs Vilumanis, conductor (ODE 1139-2F, 2008) - [Seasons of Finnish Lifestyle](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1152-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1152-2, 2009) - [Joulun tähdet. Star Christmas: featuring Karita Mattila · Soile Isokoski · Lilli Paasikivi · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano · Jorma Hynninen · Matti Salminen](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1138-2.md): Pertti Pekkanen, conductor · Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo-soprano · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Tapiola Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Matti Salminen, bass · Helsinki Chamber Choir · Timo Nuoranne, conductor · YL Male Voice Choir · Kyösti Haatanen, conductor · Jorma Panula, conductor · Ulf Söderblom, conductor · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Jorma Hynninen, baritone · The Musica Choir of Jyväskylä · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Karita Mattila, soprano · Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano (ODE 1138-2, 2008) - [Finland. A Celebration of Music and Nature](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1053-2q.md): Various Finnish Artists (ODE 1053-2Q, 2008) - [A Five Star Sibelius Celebration](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1108-2.md): Karita Mattila · Jorma Hynninen · Monica Groop · Pekka Kuusisto · Olli Mustonen (ODE 1108-2, 2007) - [Tunnelmallista joulua: (Cosy Christmas)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-502-2.md): Karita Mattila · Monica Groop · Jorma Hynninen · Finnish Radio Chamber Choir · Various orchestras and conductors (ODE 502-2, 2006) - [Riemullista joulujuhlaa: (Joyful Christmas)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-501-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Various orchestras and conductors (ODE 501-2, 2006) - [Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1054-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano (ODE 1054-2, 2004) - [Karita Mattila: Best of Evergreens](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-994-2.md): Tapiola Sinfonietta · Pekka Savijoki, conductor · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor · Peter Lerche, guitar · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Riku Niemi, conductor · Ilmo Ranta, piano · Karita Mattila, soprano (ODE 994-2, 2001) - [Classical Images from Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1004-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1004-2, 2002) - [Sibelius Festival](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-930-2.md): Jorma Hynninen · Pekka Kuusisto (ODE 930-2, 1999) - [Essential highlights of... (ODE 252-2D)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-252-2d.md): Karita Mattila, soprano (ODE 252-2D, 2010) ## Links - [IMG Artists](http://www.imgartists.com/?page=artist&id=1334) - [Intermusica](http://www.intermusica.co.uk/mattila) - [Operabase](http://www.operabase.com/listart.cgi?lang=en&name=karita%20mattila&loose=E&acts=%20Terminplan) - [Karita Mattila Forum](http://lakarita.bravehost.com/)