Katherine Haataja
Katherine Elina Haataja is a Finnish-Swedish mezzo-soprano and entrepreneur, known for her work advocating for young opera artists. She is a descendant of the Hannikainen family of composers and writers, Pietari Hannikainen was her third great grandfather.Life and Career
Haataja was born in Olofström in Sweden to a Swedish mother and Finnish father. She grew up in Helsinki in Finland and then studied vocal performance at the Paris conservatory and at Trinity College London. She started her career as opera singer but stopped when she became ill with breast cancer.
Haataja performed in different opera houses in Europe and her roles included Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Annius in La clemenza di Tito by W.A. Mozart, Angelina in La Cenerentola by G. Rossini, Tigrinda in Orlando finto pazzo by A. Vivaldi and Carlotta in Die schweigsame Frau by Richard Strauss. She has worked with conductors and directors Steven Devine, Steuart Bedford, Elgar Howarth, Stephen Unwin and David Fielding.
Haataja founded Operosa in 2006. It is a foundation to champion singers and talent in their studies and early career. It is also an international opera festival in Montenegro.Recordings
