SEPTEMBER 18 2024
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After a tightly conducted and briskly paced, traditionally structured overture, Matthew Swensen, as the Steersman, took the lead alongside Andreas Bauer Kanabas, who performed the role of Daland, his captain. Swensen has a beautiful, crystal-clear tenor that comes into its own in his small role. With perfect diction, he delivers a Steersman rarely heard: on the one hand, pure bel canto, but on the other hand, perfectly focused on the drama of his texts with understandable articulation."
OPERA MAGAZINE / FLYING DUTCHMAN IN AMSTERDAM
''WITH HIS HIGH LEVEL OF MUSICALITY AND UNIQUE ABILITY TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE MOMENT, MATTHEW SWENSEN’S PERFORMANCE AS THE STEERSMAN IS THE MOST LYRICAL AND NOTABLE INTERPRETATION OF THE ROLE SINCE FRITZ WUNDERLICH.''
​Nederlandse Cultuur
Critical Acclaim from Concertgebouw Amsterdam
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Matthew Swensen is Classical Singer Magazine's October 2024 Feature
SEPTEMBER 18 2024
To an outside observer, it may seem that Matthew Swensen took no time at all to establish his professional singing career. On the ground, however, it doesn't seem that way to the young tenor. "A lot of people point out to me people who I trust and admire -that this is really happening very quickly," he says. "Well, it certainly doesn't feel like that." Examining the evidence may show otherwise. Swensen made his European operatic debut in 2017, at age 24, in Theatre Basel's production of Mozart's Lucio Silla the same year he completed his master's degree from The Juilliard School. From there, he joined the ensemble of Oper Frankfurt, performing roles including Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Camille in Die lustige Witwe, and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni. He then launched a freelance career that has led to regular, steady engagements across Europe and North America...
''Tour de Force'' debut as Tom Rakewell at
Maggio Musicale
Matthew Swensen starts the new year with his highly anticipated debut as Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky's comedic-trajedy, the Rake's Progress at Teatro del Maggio Musicale. In this new production, director Frederic Wade-Walker and conductor Daniele Gatti brilliantly captured the stark drama of Stravinsky's only full-length opera in a modern and relevant context, which tells the story of a young Tom Rakewell on a quest to find peace and fulfilment.
''One of the most beautifully voiced and interesting singers I have had the pleasure of hearing,'' says Intendant Alexander Pereira. ''The role is a tour de force, and it is wonderful to hear Matthew's voice grown over the years and to see him conquer this demanding lyric repertoire.''
Performance dates include March 12, 14, 16, 19 and 26. Mr. Swensen is joined by a remarkable cast, including Sara Blanch as Anne, Vito Priante as Nick Shadow, and Adriana Di Paola as the scorned wife Baba the Turk. Daniele Gatti leads the Opera Orchestra of Teatro del Maggio Musicale.
Triumphant American Opera Debut in New Orleans
Matthew Swensen made a ''dazzling and delightful'' return to the United States to make his professional opera debut in New Orleans Opera's production of Rossini's Barbiere di Siviglia. It was his professional debut after graduating from the Juilliard School in 2017.
Opera News writes: ''Matthew Swensen sang Almaviva with a clear, attractive tenor. His voice is suitably agile for Rossini’s music, so much so that one would have welcomed hearing “Cessa di più resistere.” which to this day has not been done by the local Company. Both Swensen and his Rosina, Raven McMillon, performed with a welcome sense of Rossinian style.''
Opera News Presents:
Matthew Swensen
The American tenor makes his U.S. debut this month in New Orleans.
By Henry Stewart
“FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, opera was so integrated into my life,” Matthew Swensen says by Zoom in June. “All of my first memories as a kid growing up had something to do with opera. I was screwed from the very beginning...
Read More Here
Photographed by Darío Acosta
Grooming by Affan Graber Malik
Cosi Fan Tutte returns to Maggio Musicale
Matthew Swensen starts the upcoming season with his highly anticipated return to the signature role of Ferrando in Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Zubin Mehta conducts Sven Bechtholf's Production.
Performance dates include November 3, 5, 8, 10, 12.
Swensen Returns to Amsterdam for Concertgebouw Concert
Matthew Swensen returns to the Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to present Bruckner's Mass in F with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of the Netherlands on February 12, 2024.
Gewandhaus Debut in Weber's Rarely Performed
'Die Drei Pintos'
Gewandhausorchester, Gewandhaus Chor, Petr Popelka Dirigent, Albert Pesendorfer Bass (Don Pantaleone de Paccheco), Viktorija Kaminskaite Sopran (Clarissa), Matthew Swensen Tenor (Don Gomez de Freiros), Annelie Sophie Müller Mezzosopran (Laura), Martin Mitterrutzner Tenor (Don Gaston Viratos), Franz Hawlata Bass (Don Pinto de Fonseca), Krešimir Stražanac Bariton (Ambrosio)
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High Praise for Alaimo, Perez and Swensen in New
'Falstaff' Recording
The Italian baritone Nicola Alaimo is a pleasingly lyrical Falstaff, amusing enough – particularly in the business with the laundry basket – without playing the role too hard for laughs. The ensemble cast provides strong musical and dramatic support, with particularly energetic performances from the Merry Wives, all of whom act their socks off. Musically, the stand-out performance is from Ailyn Pérez (as Alice Ford), who sings with a beautiful sense of line. The young lovers provide everything we might wish for from them. Matthew Swensen is an ardent, generous-voiced Fenton.'' - BBC WORLD NEWS
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''The Highlight of the Evening'' -
Swensen debuts at the
Rheingau Festival
''The highlight of the evening was Matthew Swensen's phrase, 'Night, will you soon end?' sung with a beautiful enamel from a very experienced and effective singer of oratorio.''
- Frankfurt Allgemeine
