Massimo Modoni | Bass

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. He was a Young Artist at Accademia Germogli d’Arte under the tutelage of Maestro Salvatore Cordella and a finalist in the 2025 Nicola Martinucci International Singing Competition.

His current and forthcoming engagements include Saül in Charpentier’s David et Jonathas with New Sussex Opera, directed by Paul Higgins and conducted by Toby Purser, with performances including Cadogan Hall, London. In March 2027, he will make his role debut in the title role of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with St Albans Chamber Opera.

Recent operatic appearances include 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.

His work in contemporary opera includes creating roles in two 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, Lecce, under Emanuela Di Pietro.

On the concert platform, his engagements include the bass solos in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle under Paolo Olmi and Mascagni’s Messa di Gloria under Emanuela Di Pietro. Upcoming concert engagements include Mozart’s Requiem in Lecce Cathedral, also under 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. Their programme Viva Verdi! explores Verdi’s bass repertoire through arrangements of operatic and sacred works, with engagements in Italy and the UK and a forthcoming recital at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York.

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