Massimo Modoni | Bass

Italian bass Massimo Modoni initially trained as a harpist and continuo player, specialising in historical performance, before pursuing his vocal training in Venice and London. His teachers and mentors have included the late Francesca Scaini, Sherman Lowe, Alison Pearce and Mirella Freni.

Recent operatic engagements include Saül in Charpentier’s David et Jonathas with New Sussex Opera, directed by Paul Higgins and conducted by Toby Purser, including a performance at Cadogan Hall, London; Don Bartolo in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia for Opera Kipling, directed by Guido Martin-Brandis, in London and on tour in France; Dulcamara in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore for FestInArt; Barone Douphol in Verdi’s La traviata for Hurn Court Opera; Starveling in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, directed by Patrick Mason and conducted by David Brophy; and Pierrot in Ethel Smyth’s Fête Galante with Pegasus Opera Company at the Britten Theatre, directed by Femi Elufowoju Jr and conducted by Odaline de la Martinez. He has also appeared as Timur in Puccini’s Turandot under Emanuela Di Pietro for the FestInArt Gala.

Upcoming concert engagements include the bass solo in Verdi’s Messa da Requiem in Modena Cathedral and Mozart’s Requiem in Lecce Cathedral, under Emanuela Di Pietro.

Alongside his work in the established repertoire, Modoni is a committed interpreter of contemporary opera, most recently creating two roles in world premieres: Armando in Joe Schittino’s La ragazza imprudente at Luglio Musicale Trapanese, directed by Giuseppe Amato and conducted by Mirco Reina, and Davide in Salvatore Valente’s La Cartomante at Teatro Politeama Greco in Lecce, under Emanuela Di Pietro.

On the concert platform, his engagements include the bass solo in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle under Paolo Olmi and Mascagni’s Messa di Gloria under Emanuela Di Pietro. His recital and concert collaborations include Renato Balsadonna and pianists Andrés Gallucci, Roberto Corlianò and Vincenzo Rana. He has also appeared as a principal artist in O dolcezze, O memorie for Siena’s Bastianini Festival, commemorating the Italian baritone Ettore Bastianini.

Together with organist Jeremiah Stephenson, Modoni has established a recital partnership devoted to Italian operatic and sacred repertoire for bass and organ, with performances in Italy and the UK and forthcoming engagements in the United States. Their next programme, Viva Verdi!, is dedicated to Verdi’s bass repertoire, bringing together operatic and sacred works in arrangements for bass and organ.

Modoni has collaborated with conductors including Renato Balsadonna, Toby Purser, Paolo Olmi, Emanuela Di Pietro, Mirco Reina, Odaline de la Martinez and David Brophy, and with stage directors including Paul Higgins, Guido Martin-Brandis, Patrick Mason, Femi Elufowoju Jr and Giuseppe Amato.

He is also the founder and Artistic Director of Accademia dell’Opera Italiana, working with international singers, conductors and coaches in the development of emerging operatic talent.