Beginning with the riotous opening applause that continues through the orchestral introduction to Dich teure Halle from Tannhäuser,
Karita Mattila is greeted at this live 2000 concert at the Helsinki arena like a rock star and she performs with the passionate abandon and almost tangible audience rapport characteristic of rock stars. The intensity of her performance is palpable; she is fully invested in this material, and is holding nothing back. The concert opens with dazzle. Besides the Wagner,
Mattila brings characters from Dvorák, Verdi, and Puccini operas to life with a searing focus. The climax of Vissi d'arte in particular has a startling, gleaming purity. Her powerful, radiant voice in the service of such an intelligent and heartfelt commitment to the music viscerally communicates with her audience. The remainder of the concert is devoted to lighter material, which she delivers with no less understanding and effectiveness. She demonstrates her mastery of comedy in three arias (of three different characters) from Die Fledermaus. Two of the three pieces in the set of songs by late and post-Romantic Finnish composers have a distinctly popular character and show how much at ease
Mattila is in a wide range of music. That impression is confirmed in her seductive performances of "Falling in Love Again" (in its original German version), "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," and "Summertime"; she could have made a career as a chanteuse if she had chosen not to pursue opera.
Mattila's fans will not want to miss this distinctive and vibrant recital, and it should appeal to a broad range of listeners who love vocal music. There are a few ancillary noises and some applause, but generally the sound is terrifically clean and present.