TUOMAS KATAJALA Tenor
Stravinky´s Oedipus Rex (Oedipe)
Sinfonica di Milano 4.-7.5.2023
”The Finnish tenor Tuomas Katajala, whose operatic repertoire ranges from Mozart to Wagner and Weber, already applauded on these boards a few months ago in the second act of Parsifal, plays the role of the protagonist (Oedipus). Katajala stands out for his ringing, homogeneous and soft emission, voluminous and with a bright metal, well projected and of seductive clear and malleable texture. The effectiveness and care in presenting the word, the clarity in diction, the ease in the high notes, and the interpretive elegance are also appreciated, qualities showcased from the opening aria "Liberi, vos liberabo a peste". At the end, there was a warm and enthusiastic success from the large audience present in the hall, with peaks of enthusiasm for Katajala and Maestro Boreyko.”
Stefano Balbiani /
Connesiallopera.it
Mahler´s Das Lied von der Erde
”Tuomas Katajala is a tenor with a clear and homogeneous voice, very effective and euphoric in outlining the verses of his Lieds”
- Emiliano Michelin / Operaclick.com
Teatro alla Scala Milano 10.9.2023
Teatro alla Scala Milano 10.9.2023 / Mahler´s Das Lied von der Erde
"Heading The opening of Das Trinklied von Jammer der Erde gallops with the first calls of the brass, but Tuomas Katajala has no trouble bringing forth his radiant vocal quality, even tinting the passages where he sings about the pains of life and the certainty of death with humor. In Von der Jugend, Katajala and the orchestra engage in a genuine quarrel that recalls the joyful spirit of Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Similarly, in Der Trunkene im Frühling, the tenor speaks of comfort 'in the bottle' as if he were possessed by a divine lesson" -Alessandro Arnoldo / Artesnews.it
Photo Heikki Tuuli
News
Weber´s Der Freischütz / Max
Oper Leipzig
Conductor Yura Yang
Stage director Christian von Götz
February/March/April 2025
Mozart´s Idomeneo / Idomeneo
Amsterdam Concertgebouw & Helsinki Music Centre
Conductor Aapo Häkkinen
November 2024
Savonlinna Opera Festival
Wagner´s Lohengrin / Lohengrin
The Opera Festival Orchestra
Conductor, Stephan Zilias
Director, Roman Hovenbitzer
June / July 2024
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation,
Lisbon / Grand Auditorium
Beethoven´s Symphony Nro. 9
Conductor, Joana Carneiro
Gulbenkian Orchestra & Choir
May 2024
Poulenc´s Dialogues des Carmélites
The role of Chevalier de la Force
Finnish National Opera
Director, Olivier Py
Conductors, Hannu Lintu and James
Sherlock
December/January/February 2024
Duomo di Milano
Mahler´s Symphony No. 8
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano
Conductor, Claus Peter Flor
Tenor Tuomas Katajala
November 2023
Teatro alla Scala, Milano
Mahler´s Das Lied von der Erde
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano
Conductor, Andrey Boreyko
Tenor Tuomas Katajala
Bariton Georg Nigl
September 2023
Wagner´s Das Rheingold / Loge
Orchestre of the Music Makers
Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore
Conductor, Joshua Kangming Tan
Director, Tang Xinxin
June & July 2023
Stravinsky´s Oedipus Rex / Oedipus
with Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano at Auditorium di Milano Fondazione
Cariplo & Conductor, Andrey Boreyko
May 2023
A new production of Weber´s Der Freischütz / Max
at Theater an der Wien.
Conductor, Patrick Lange and Director & Stage, David Marton.
February & March & April 2023
The live recording of Beethoven´s
9th Symphony at Malmö Live
Concert Hall by Ondine with
Malmö´s Symphony Orchestra & conductor, Robert Trevino
Recent events
A New year concerts 2023 Beethoven´s 9th Symphony with Vienna Symphony Orchestra at Wiener Konzerthaus & conductor
Klaus Mäkelä.
December 2022
Wagner´s Parsifal / Parsifal
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano at
Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo & Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado
October 2022
Britten´s Serenade with Orchestre Philharmonique de la France at Paris Maison de la Radio Grand Auditorium & Conductor Mikko Franck
October 2022
Mahler Das Lied von der Erde
Chamber Orchestra Kremerata Baltica
Dresden Hautbahnhof Main Hall
Conductor Fuad Ibrahimov
August 2022
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mozart´s Requiem
Conductor Hannu Lintu
Helsinki Music Centre
June 2022
The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
& conductor Tarmo Peltokoski
Open-air concert in Classic Festival
Summer in Lesmona, Bremen
April 2022
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Bach´s St. John´s Passion / Evangelist
Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir
Conductor Florian Helgath
March 2022
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Alfred Schnittke´s Faust Kantate
Orchestra e Coro dell´Accademia
Conductor Antonio Pappano
December & January & February 2021/2022
Strasbourg Opéra National du Rhin
Braunfels`s Die Vögel / Hoffegut
a new production & FRENCH PREMIERE
September & October & November 2021
Bolshoi Theatre Moscow
Mozart´s Don Giovanni / Don Ottavio
(a new production)
Conductor Tugan Sokhiev
April & May 2021
Opéra de Lyon, France
Weber´s Der Freischütz / Max
(a new production)
Cancelled
February & March 2021
London Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Wagner´s Der Fliegende Holländer
Steuermann & Erik
Cancelled
Finnish tenor Tuomas Katajala is one of the most versatile and sought after Scandinavian tenors and makes remarkable career equally in the opera, oratorio, concert and lied genres.
He has performed over 100 oratorio, orchestra and lied pieces from baroque to contemporary music.
In the season 2023/2024 includes among others Mahler´s Das Lied von der Erde at Teatro alla Scala with conductor Andrey Boreyko, Mahler´s Symphony No. 8 with Sinfonica di Milano at Duomo di Milano (Mahler Festival), Der fliegende Holländer & the role of Erik at Beijing Opera, the role of Lohengrin at Savonlinna Opera Festival and Beethoven 9th Symphony at Gulbenkian Foundation.
In the season 2022/2023 Engagements included among others Parsifal at Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo with Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano & conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, a New Year concerts of Beethoven´s 9th Symphony at Wiener Konzerthouse with Wiener Symphoniker & conductor Klaus Mäkelä, a new production of Weber's Der Freischütz, role of Max at Theater an der Wien,
Britten Sérénade Op.31 at Paris Maison de la France Grand Auditorium with Orchestre Radio de la France & conductor Mikko Franck, Stravinky´s Oedipus Rex (Oedipus) at Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo with Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano & conductor Andrey Boreyko and Das Lied von der Erde in Dresden with Kremerata Baltica.
TEATRO ALLA SCALA, Milano
10.9.2023
Mahler´s Das Lied von der Erde
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano
Conductor Andrey Bereyko
Tenor Tuomas Katajala
Bariton Georg Nigl
Tenor parts: Number 1 (2.08.15 from the end,) Number 3 (1.50.15 from the end) and Number 5 (1.39.25 from the end)
Live recording RAI RADIO 3
of the season opening live concert of Britten´s Nocturne Op. 60 with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra at Helsinki Music Centre, cond. Hannu Lintu.
Nocturne: 22.00-55.00
of Wagner`s Das Rheingold,
Loge Tuomas Katajala.
New Ring at Finnish National Opera, conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Recent and upcoming events
Watch and listen
L.V. Beethoven`s Symphony No. 9 with Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Klaus Mäkelä / Live recording
L.V. Beethoven`s Missa Solemnis with Finnish
Radio Symphony Orchestra & conductor Hannu Lintu / Live recording
B. Britten´s Serenade Op.31 for Tenor, Corn and strings with Orchestre Radio de la France at Paris Maison de la Radio Grand Auditorium & conductor Mikko Franck /
Live recording.
Hans Zender: Schubert´s Winterreise
Nr. 7 Auf dem Flusse
Lohja City Orchestra & conductor
Jukka Untamala, Live recording 2022
Hans Zender: Schubert´s Winterreise
Nr. 24 Der Leiermann
Lohja City Orchestra & conductor
Jukka Untamala, Live recording 2022
Adolphe Adam: O Holy Night (in Finnish)
Pianist Marko Hilpo
Recording 2021
Braunfels´s Die Vögel,
Hoffegut Tuomas Katajala
National du Rhin, Strasbourg
French Premiere 2022 /
Live ARTE.TV
Reviews
London Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / The Magic Flute / Tamino
"Tuomas Katajala, at the awakening of his character, extend this euphony thanks to the agility of his technic and the warmth of his tone quality. Hero on a full quest or enchanter musician, he imposes also his stage presence when Tamino is forced to shut up. His duos with Pamina, the soprano Janai Brugger, are precisely done, their vocal lines always regular."
Céline Wadoux, Olyrix.com
Finnish National Opera / Das Rheingold / Loge
”From the role debuts the most impressive one is Tuomas Katajala's Loge. With his expressive tenor voice he shows the demigod's intelligence, guile and insurgency.”
Harri Kuusisaari, rondoclassic/rondolehti.fi
"Possibly the best singing of all was delivered by Tuomas Katajala as the red-haired Loge. Seemingly effortless beauty of tone and expressive acting characterised his performance."
Göran Forsling / Seenandheard.com
"...while Tuomas Katajala's Loge wavers in a credible way between excitement and melancholy or whispering, always with a clear and warm tenor voice."
Andreas Wahlberg / Olyrix.com
”Den som dock främst sticker ut är tenoren Tuomas Katajala som Loge. Även om man kan tänka sig
att rollens dubbelhet i sig öppnar upp för en mer spännande prestation, har Katajala också en röst,
även om han kanske inte äger den mest klassiska Wagner-stämman, och ett agerande som gör hans
prestation till den mest minnesvärda"
Bodil Hasselgren / Capriccio.se
Opera National du Rhin
The French Premiere of Braunfels Die Vögel / Hoffegut
” The Finnish tenor Tuomas Katajala is the big discovery of the evening, since his equally easy and radiant singing illuminates each line. The timbre’s beauty, as well as the clarity of phonation are a constant delight.
Classiquenews.com / Florent Coydeyrat
”It's the tenor Tuomas Katajala who convinces the most: clear and powerful timbre, concern for the text, clarity of pronunciation.”
Resmusica.com / Michel Thomé
”The voice of the day is the one of Tuomas Katajala, a bright and very sharp tenor voice whose art of phrasing and musicality in every instant wins all the votes.”
Anaclase.com / Berntrand Bolognesi
”In the role of Hoffegut, Tuomas Katajala projects a clear and bright voice, with a full-bodied timbre, with a vivid and light vibrato, in a very lyric phrasing carried by a powerful breath.”
Olyrix.com / Damien Dutilleul
”From the stage stand out the precise and virtuoso soprano voice of Marie-Eve Munger, the warm and amber tenor voice of Tuomas Katajala”
LeFigaro.com
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia /
Der fliegende Holländer / Steuermann
"Tuomas Katajala (Steuermann) è stato la seconda splendida sorpresa della serata. Voce freschissima, giovane, si conferma uno dei migliori possibili nel ruolo, in virtù di una voce incline alla liricità ma potente e virile che gli consente di regalarci una encomiabile prestazione da vero liederista ricordandoci come la canzone del giovane nostromo sia una delle tante intrusioni nel Lied nel teatro wagneriano."
Pierluigi Guadagni, mtglirica.com
"Eccellente invece la prova di Tuomas Katajala nei panni del timoniere: accurato nella dizione, ottimo in tutti i registri e particolarmente in quello acuto, efficace nell’interpretazione grazie a una voce dal timbro chiaro, ma dalla consistenza pastosa."
Emiliano Metalli connessiallopera.it
European Tour with Paris Insula Orchestra Aix-en-Provence, Grand Théâtre /
Der Freischütz / Max
"Max, Agathe's fiancé and unfortunate shooter, is sung by the Finnish tenor Tuomas Katajala. He carries out this romantic role with ease and succeeds in incarnating this antihero. His articulated and declamatory voice has a soft timbre and easy, well-projected high-pitch notes. He thus portrays an alternately scared and influenceable character."
Véronique Boudier, olyrix.com
”This is a tenor I hadn't known before. Category Mozart singer, but with a lot of body in the timbre, for sure also a wonderful Tamino or Ottavio. Tuomas Katajala perfectly projects his velvety voice without weakening in the high-pitch notes. He possesses a very elegant singing line, and his interpretation of the pusillanimous antihero is very convincing. A very beautiful Max, whom I really hope to hear again.”
Frederic Bodin, fredailleurs.fr
Finnish National Opera / Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / David
"His tenor colleague Tuomas Katajala is an excellent David with lyric glow and
elegant acting."
Göran Forsling, seen and heard international
"Das traditionell beifallsfreudige Premierenpublikum verteilte seine Sympathien am Schluss durchaus differenziert und ließ den Interpreten des David und Sachs den größten Applaus zukommen – aus meiner Sicht vollkommen zu Recht. Es ist meines Erachtens von Vorteil, die Partie des Lehrbuben nicht mit einem Buffo, sondern einem lyrischen Tenor zu besetzen, und TUOMAS KATAJALA entledigte sich dieser Aufgabe mit einer Bayreuth würdigen Qualität.... Es machte Spaß, einem derart stimmschönen und bei aller Weichheit des Timbres mit metallischen Höhen aufwartenden David zuzuhören – beste Voraussetzungen für „höhere Weihen“ an größeren Bühnen."
Sune Manninen, der neue merker
Loge
David
Don Ottavio
Loge
© 2022 Tuomas Katajala