About
Matti Turunen is a Finnish bass opera singer known for his powerful voice and diverse repertoire. Born in Joensuu, Finland, he began his musical journey at a young age, studying piano and church organ at the Joensuu Conservatory. His passion for church music led him to the Sibelius Academy, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 2014, studying under the guidance of renowned bass Jaakko Ryhänen.
Turunen's professional career commenced with a two-year apprenticeship at the Finnish National Opera from 2008 to 2010, supported by the Matti Salminen Foundation. During this period, he honed his craft and performed in various productions. In 2010, he had the opportunity to work with Maestro Daniel Barenboim at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, covering the role of Fasolt in Wagner's "Das Rheingold."Over the years, Turunen has portrayed a wide array of roles, including Sarastro in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Bartolo in "The Marriage of Figaro," Hunding in Wagner's "Die Walküre," and Colline in Puccini's "La Bohème." His versatility extends to contemporary works, such as performing in Einojuhani Rautavaara's "Aleksis Kivi" and Jukka Linkola's "Robin Hood." In 2019, Turunen became a permanent soloist at the Finnish National Opera. His recent engagements include debuting as Daland in Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman" at Tampere Opera in February 2023 and performing as Timur in Puccini's "Turandot." Looking ahead, he is set to return to the Savonlinna Opera Festival in 2025, taking on roles such as Varlaam in Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" and reprising Timur in "Turandot." Beyond the opera stage, Turunen is an active church musician and educator. He has served as a cantor in various Finnish congregations and has been involved in teaching theology and church music at the university level. His commitment to music education and performance continues to enrich Finland's cultural landscape.