Bio
Bass-baritone Matthew Burns is celebrated for his musical and comedic capabilities in equal measure. Opera News recently singled out his “vocal and comedic flexibility” in Don Giovanni (Leporello) at Detroit Opera. Last season, he appeared in The Marriage of Figaro (Bartolo) with both Portland Opera and Utah Opera, and returned to The Metropolitan Opera for the revival of their production of The Hours (Richard, cover). Other recent highlights include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Delaware Symphony, The Pirates of Penzance (Sergeant of Police) with Nashville Opera, and Daughter of the Regiment (Sulpice) with Utah Opera.
In the 2024-25 Season, Matthew sings the title role in Don Pasquale with the Napa Valley Festival and makes his Opera Colorado debut. Burns recently made his Seattle Opera debut in Tosca (Sacristan) for which the Seattle Times celebrated his “dignified bass-baritone, in counterpoint to his less-than-holy behavior,” which “provides much-needed comic relief.” Additional recent highlights include the title role in Don Pasquale at Inland Northwest Opera, La Cenerentola (Don Magnifico) with Annapolis Opera, Daughter of the Regiment (Sulpice) with Opera Carolina, The Elixir of Love (Dulcamara) with Virginia Opera, Billy Budd (Dansker) with Central City Opera, and covering roles in Rigoletto and The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera.
A master-interpreter of comedic roles, Mr. Burns is highly sought after as Leporello in Don Giovanni, which he has performed with Detroit Opera, Utah Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Memphis, and more. He is also well known for his performances of Doctor Bartolo and Don Basilio, both in The Barber of Seville, and as Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro.