Baritone Mattia Olivieri on Modern Opera Realism
The Italian singer discusses his role in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro in Madrid.
1Opera's New Realism
Baritone Mattia Olivieri emphasizes that modern opera demands higher levels of theatrical credibility than in the past. He argues that singers must now approach scenes like kisses or fights with the same physical authenticity expected in cinema. This shift requires performers to move beyond vocal perfection to embody characters completely.
2Madrid Residency
Born in Sassuolo in 1984, Olivieri has recently settled in the Malasaña neighborhood of Madrid. After falling in love with Spain during his time at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, he chose the Spanish capital for its lifestyle. He describes the area as a village-like community within the city center.
3Le nozze di Figaro
Olivieri stars as Count Almaviva in the Teatro Real production of Mozart's 'Le nozze di Figaro' from November 9 to 27. This staging is a co-production with the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The cast features numerous international artists under the musical direction of Stefano Montanari and stage direction by Robert Carsen.
4Mozart vs. Rossini
Having performed both Figaro and the Count, Olivieri notes significant differences between the two composers' interpretations. While Rossini’s Almaviva is deeply in love with Rosina, Mozart’s version is a serial seducer. He believes Mozart’s female characters are consistently more intelligent than the men, reflecting a dynamic that remains relevant today.
5Artistic Evolution
Olivieri first performed the Count in Florence in 2019 and notes that his interpretation has matured significantly since then. He believes that repeating a role without evolving is not true artistry. He views himself as a blank slate for each new production, adapting to the specific vision of the stage director.
6The Actor's Responsibility
The baritone recalls advice from his early teachers: prioritize the character over vocal perfection. He believes that if the audience believes in the character, they will remain engaged even if a note is not perfectly executed. For Olivieri, the text is the foundation that transforms vocalizations into a meaningful theatrical experience.
7Emotional Depth
Performing allows the naturally introverted Olivieri to express emotions he keeps hidden in his daily life. He cites his experience in Dallapiccola’s 'Il prigioniero' as a transformative moment that left him physically and emotionally exhausted. This capacity to channel intense human experiences is what he considers the true power of music.
8Mozart as Technical Foundation
Olivieri considers Mozart’s music essential for maintaining vocal health, comparing it to a dentist for the voice. He uses Mozart and Rossini to reset his technique when preparing for heavier or more classical repertoires. These composers provide the necessary precision to navigate complex vocal registers and maintain long-term vocal longevity.
9Future Repertoire Ambitions
While currently focused on Mozart, Olivieri is looking toward the works of Verdi, which he considers the pinnacle for the baritone voice. He is also interested in exploring Russian repertoire following his experience with 'Onegin' and remains open to performing zarzuela, having previously sung 'El dúo de La Africana' in Valencia.
10The Value of Live Art
Beyond his own performances, Olivieri is an avid attendee of live theater and music. He believes that watching colleagues perform is an invaluable way to learn new techniques and solve complex musical passages. For him, the constant pursuit of learning and maintaining a spark of curiosity is essential for any artist.
Original article: ABC España – Portada — Baritone Mattia Olivieri on Modern Opera Realism