biography
"A countertenor voice of rare beauty" ~ The Arts Desk
Heralded as a "lyrical countertenor who does not miss a dramatic trick" by The Stage for his performance in Buxton International Festival's production of La Canterina (Haydn), and praised for his “beautiful singing” (Northwestend) in Sir David Pountney’s Masque of Might for Opera North, Dominic Mattos is an emerging British countertenor with a voice of impressive range and versatility.
In autumn 2023, Dominic made his debut for Opera North stepping in to sing the role of Strumpet Ginger in Masque of Might at the Lowry, under Harry Bicket. Summer 2024 saw Dominic make his Buxton debut, followed by the world premiere of Lliam Paterson's Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the Four for Northern Opera Group, in which Dominic played Thaddeus Sholto: "a comedic delight, his bright tone unwavering throughout" Opera Now
Creative and Versatile
Other recent work includes covering the role of Ruggiero in Handel's Alcina for Opera North, multi-rolling as 3rd Lady/Monostatos/3rd Boy/1st Priest/Old Lady in Merry Opera’s tour of The Magic Flute, and a “coolly incisive Narciso” (Opera Magazine) in Agrippina for HGO. Dominic also provided solo vocals - singing Vinci's 'Vo Solcando un Mar Crudele' - for the BBC Radio 3 drama Wunderkind.
Concert Platform
On the concert platform Dominic has sung the roasting swan solo in Orff’s Carmina Burana with Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society (“wonderfully theatrical… with a pitch-perfect voice throbbing with emotion” – Guernsey News), the alto solos in Handel’s Dixit Dominus for the St. Andrew’s Chorus, Didymus in Theodora for Peter Holman MBE/Essex Baroque and David in Saul for Aylesbury Opera.
Studies at RNCM
Dominic completed his studies at the RNCM under Jane Irwin with high distinction in 2023, generously supported by an entrance award from the RNCM, the Waverley Fund, and a Sybil Tutton Award from Help Musicians UK. Dominic is also very grateful to have been an Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholar for both his MMus and PGDipAS.
At RNCM, Dominic appeared as Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus (“a triumphant performance” – The Arts Desk) and as the Refugee in a concert presenation of Dove’s Flight. Opera scenes included Farnace in Mitridate Re di Ponto (Mozart), and Fox in The Adventures of Pinnochio (Dove).
Varied Performance Background
A latecomer to classical music Dominic had a prior career as a cabaret and variety performer (“one of cabaret’s most original interpreters” – Classical Source), including appearances at the Aldeburgh Music Festival, the Metropolitan Room in New York, the Blackpool Grand, The Jermyn Street Theatre and on BBC Radio 4. He still performs professionally as a pantomime dame (“a stage presence that outshines even the acreage of taffeta s/he wears” – Luxembourg Times), most recently as Madame Cherry La Bon Bon in Beauty and the Beast at the Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering.
Future plans include The Dowager in the new Jazz Operetta The Dowager's Oyster and concert performances of Messiah and Carmina Burana.