Member Spotlight: Matthew Mannion - Bass-Baritone

Thrilled to introduce Irish bass-baritone Matthew Mannion for this week's member spotlight.

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Young, dynamic and adventurous.

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I really love cooking and experimenting with flavours! I also love reading fantasy as it keeps my imagination sharp and expansive which I need for my singing.

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had an artist?

It was actually one in the audience, I saw La bohème after a breakup and cried for the entire thing and came out feeling so much lighter. It was realising art can help and touch people which led me to fall in love with performing on a deeper level.

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I would absolutely love to perform Don Basilio (Barbiere) and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte) as they are such interesting and chaotic characters with so much scope for play. It’s my dream to perform these roles in the Wien Staatsoper.

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

I love the sense of play and exploration throughout the rehearsal and learning process and then performing and sharing that sense of joy with the audience.

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would tell myself to look for belief intrinsically rather than looking to be fed by others' belief in me. To take up space unabashedly and believe in myself and what I have to say as an artist.

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Courage, Joy, Determination

8. Where can our followers watch you perform next?

I’m currently touring in La traviata with Irish National Opera and you can see us now in Dublin and Cork!
https://www.irishnationalopera.ie/whats-on/current-upcoming/la-traviata. 
I am also performing as the bass soloist in CPE Bach’s Magnificat with the Dublin City Choral Union on June 9th (https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/dccu-present-cpe-bach-magnificat-mozart-te-deum-tickets-877346365597) and premiering a role in the new opera “The legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill” in the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival in August.

Find out more about Matthew by visiting his Audition Oracle profile https://auditionoracle.com/singer/matthew_mannion or his website at matthewmannion.com.