Tenor
Mikeldi Atxalandabaso

Reviews
On Stage


  BIOGRAPHY  

 

The internationally sought-after tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso recently made his successful debut at the ROH Covent Garden as Beppe in I Pagliacci, earning enthusiastic applause and reviews:
“Special mention must also go to Spanish tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the role of Beppe, for a quite elegant and superlative “O Colombina” aria, amongst the finest examples one might have heard; another voice deserving of greater stage time.” Royal Opera House 2023-24 Review: 'Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci' - OperaWire OperaWire (Royal Opera House London).

In the season 23/24 he also came back to the Liceu as TRIQUET, at the Teatro Real with his internationally celebrated GORO or gave his debut as PEDRILLO at the ABAO Opera in Bilbao. Other recent important debuts have also been the HAUPTMANN in “Wozzeck” at the Monte Carlo Opera and the Gran Teatro del Liceu, as well the title role in DER ZWERG in Tenerife, SPOLETTA at the Nederlandse Opera Amsterdam, HEURTEBISE in Philip Glass’ “Orphée” at the Teatro Real or PEDRO in Falla’s “El retablo de Maese Pedro”, with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra.

Moreover, we shall highlight his lasts appearances as SPOLETTA at the Salzburg Festival and the Salzburg Easter Festival, the Teatro Real Madrid or the Peralada Festival, as well as his debut at the Palau de les Arts as GORO, his interpretation of ALFONSO in the world premiere “Abrecartas” by Luis de Pablo also at the Teatro Real or BEPPE in “I Pagliacci” and the 4 VILLAINS in “Les contes d’Hoffman” at the ABAO Opera in Bilbao.

After completing his singing studies in his native town Bilbao, Mikeldi made his internationally in noticed debut as RUODI in Rossini’s ”Guillaume Tell” at the Nederlandse Nationale Opera Amsterdam in 2013. Subsequently, he portrayed this role in numerous international productions both in French and Italian: at the Teatro Regio Torino,the Monte Carlo Opera, in concerts at the Edinburgh International Festival, on a tour through the United States and Canada, in concerts at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and in La Coruña.
Further international engagements include PONG at the Teatro Regio di Torino, BEPPE, DON CURZIO, JONAS in” Le Prophète” at the Théâtre du Capitôle de Toulouse, BEPPE at the Teatro Municipal Santiago de Chile He sang DR. CAJUS in “Falstaff” with the Bavarian Broadcast Symphony Orchestra or MAESE PEDRO in Manuel de Falla’s “El retablo de Maese Pedro” at the Théâtre de La Monnaie in Brussels. In this very venue, his engagement as BARDOLFO in “Falstaff”was cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

He regularly performs in his native country e.g at the Gran Teatro del Liceu (EDMONDO in “Manon Lescaut”, the STEERSMAN in “Der Fliegende Holländer” or PONG), at the Teatro Real (sang a celebrated MIME in “Das Rheingold” in Robert Carsens’ production, MONOSTATOS in Barrie Kosky’s “Die Zauberflöte”, REMENDADO, BARBARIGO in “I due Foscari”, SIR BRUNO ROBERTSON in “I Puritani, BOIS-ROSÉ in Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots” and TIBALT in “Roméo et Juliette”), the Maestranza de Sevilla (GORO, MONOSTATOS, SEBAS in Zemlinsky’s “Der König Kandaules”) …) or ABAO Opera Bilbao, appearing as NARRABOTH in “Salome”, JAQUINO in “Fidelio”, GORO, TRIQUET in “Eugen Onegin”, BRIGHELLA in “Ariadne auf Naxos”, RUSTIGHELLO in “Lucrezia Borgia” or BARDOLFO in “Falstaff”.
He has also been ADRIÁN in Usandizaga’s “La llama” on a tour with the Basque Symphony Orchestra, JOSHE MARI in the Basque Zarzuela Mendi Mendiyan, TONY in West Side Story with the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra, sang Manuel de Falla’s “La Atlántida” with the Spanish National Orchestra or Bruckner’s Te Deum with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few.

Mikeldi Atxalandabaso works with renowned conductors and directors such as Christian Thielemann, Marco Armiliato, Daniel Oren, Gianandrea Noseda, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Daniel Harding, Paolo Carignani, Vasily Petrenko, Mikko Frank, Erik Nielsen, Calixto Bieito, Pierre Audi, William Kentridge,...

Future engagements include ABATE in “Adriana Lecouvreur”, VASEK in “The Bartered Bride” and REMENDADO at the Teatro Real Madrid or MIME in “Das Rheingold” and “Siegfried” as well as NICK in La Fanciulla del West at the Liceu Barcelona. Moreover, he makes his debut as CASSIO in OTELLO at the ABAO Opera Bilbao, comes back to La Monnaie as BARDOLFO in Falstaff or makes his debut at the Teatro Nacional de Chile as GORO.

 

 
 
REVIEWS
 
Teatro Real Madrid – Adriana Lecouvreur - ABTES
"Praiseworthy is the efforts the Tatro Real has made to compile a group of high quality supporting players. Atxalandabaso is one of the best characteristic tenors of our days, always secure as a singer and a splendid actor."
Scherzo
scherzo.es
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso's work in the role of the Abbé is worthy of mention. This artist's ability to change acting register and nail every character he takes on is mind-boggling. I think I could say that any self-respecting opera company would pay to have such an effective and professional wildcard as this. At the Teatro Real, Atxalandabaso is, without a doubt, the best supporting actor imaginable: since 2014, to put a round date on it, he has been indispensable in titles such as Romeo and Juliet, I due foscari, The Magic Flute, Carmen, The Rhine Gold, Falstaff, Tosca, The Letter Opener, Orfeo, Turandot and Madama Butterfly."
Elasombrario
elasombrario.publico.es
"...especially worth mentioning is Mikeldi Atxandalabaso, who brilliantly mastered every task, being a secure value for the theatre. He is not only an excellent singer, but has also a splendidly projected voice. He sometimes is the only singer, who can be heard in the entire room."
Eldebate
eldebate.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Madama Butterfly - GORO
"However, Mikeldi Atxalandabaso‘s matchmaker in the performance on the 8th is preferable. With his perfectly solved and facilitated trans transmission, his fine projection and the continuously perfect phrasing he proved once more to be an actual benchmarking tenor."
Codalario
codalario.com
ABAO Bilbao Opera - Die Entführung aus dem Serail - PEDRILLO
"Both scenically and vocally Mikeldi Atxalandabaso was a prime example of Pedrillo, perfectly connecting the character’s comic background with the subtle lyricism of the serenade in the third act."
Scherzo
scherzo.es
"The Bilbao tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso deserves a special mention, a luxury in any cast. Not only did he dance his way through "Vivat Bacchus" and flexed his muscles in "Frisch zum Kampfe!". Even better: at no point did he ever stray from the Mozartian style. Watching and listening to him was a joy. The genius of Salzburg would have given him a hug."
El Correro
elcorreo.com
Royal Opera House London - I Pagliacci - BEPPE
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso an excellent Beppe."
Seen and Heard International
seenandheard-international.com
Ópera de Tenerife – Der Zwerg - DER ZWERG
"The way the Basque singer Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the role of the dwarf plays the scene, singing with an incisive and perfectly articulated tenor voice creates an emotionality which truly gets under one’s skin. Really impressive Music Theatre! Increased even in the scene when he begs the Infanta once again to reassure him he isn’t not at all that ugly."
Online Merker
onlinemerker.com
"The tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso was splendid as The Dwarf. His voice suits perfect the character and his dramatic skills and capacity for emotion rounded off an enviable performance that managed to convey the various feelings and moods, ranging from the initial infatuation to the most tragic aspects. He was also great in the duets with the character of the Infanta and Ghita."
Bachtrack
bachtrack.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Orphée - HEURTEBISE
"The best projected voice was once again the tenor of Mikeldi Atxalandabaso , who seems to have taken a positive course in his career, portraying such important character roles as the Wagnerian pantomime or Alban Berg’s Captain in the Wozzeck . I was very lucky to see all three of his performances and the Biscayan tenor is never disappointing. His role as the principal servant of the princess is, together with the role of Euridice, the figure closest to humanity. In his interpretation he also provided serenity and severity."
Platea Magazine
www.plateamagazine.com
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso proved once again his vocal and scenic versatility."
Codalario
www.codalario.com
Teatro del Liceu Barcelona – Wozzeck - HAUPTMANN
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as the Captain was stupendous, as always. His tenor voice works perfectly in every aspect, and it is difficult to find a more convincing interpreter of this character."
Seen and Heard International
www.seenandheard-international.com
"The captain, tremendously portrayed and sung by Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, who seemingly effortlessly sings the almost unsingable tessitura of the role."
Opera Magazine
www.operamagazine.nl
"This central character is surrounded by a splendidly elaborated cast, from Mikeldi Atxalandabaso’s gruff captain."
Concert Classic
www.concertclassic.com
"The captain is portrayed by the delightful Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, perfectly tragical in his role."
Crescendo Magazine
www.crescendo-magazine.be
"Also splendid has been the Bask tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the role of the histrionic and sonorous Captain."
In fernem Land Blog
www.infernemland.blog
Opéra de Monte Carlo – Wozzeck - HAUPTMANN
"With his vibrating, grandiosely sounding tenor voice, which perfectly suits his show costume, the Spanish tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso’s captain provides the extensive intervals of this roles. He also is forced to unite the extremes of his spectrum, from a subterrestrial growling from his chest unto the commands and curses, which are ironically sung with a falsetto voice in well-controlled high registers. "
Olyrix
www.olyrix.com
"With his vibrating, grandiosely sounding tenor voice, which perfectly suits his show costume, the Spanish tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso’s captain provides the extensive intervals of this roles. He also is forced to unite the extremes of his spectrum, from a subterrestrial growling from his chest unto the commands and curses, which are ironically sung with a falsetto voice in well-controlled high registers. "
Olyrix
www.olyrix.com
"...and the tenor voice of Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the role of the captain with incisive vividness. "
Conessi all´Opera
www.connessiallopera.it
Opera Bilbao - Les Contes d’Hoffmann – CONCHILLE-, PITICHINACCIO-FRANTZ-ANDRÈS
"Particularly worth mentioning are the 4 roles sung by the Bi Bilbao tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso: his Andrés and Pitichinaccio both sung with plenty of charisma, the falsetto that he presented as Cochenille and his funny couplets as Frantz."
El País
www.elpais.com
"Worth mentioning is also the excellent performance of Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, the tenor who with his clear and bright voice knew how to give life to his different characters, filling the scene by himself and capturing the attention of the audience with his portrayal of Frantz."
El Correro
www.elcorreo.com
"Two voices deserve special attention in these lines. One of them is the voice of Bilbao tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, ... / ... his important voice, as demonstrated in his brief, but forceful and expressive 'couplets' «Jour de nuit je me met quatre ” proves magnificent scenic expressiveness. For many years his voice demonstrates its immense quality. Today, it is finally being accredited beyond our borders."
Beckmesser
www.beckmesser.com
"Excellent Atxalandabaso in his four characters."
Scherzo
www.scherzo.es
Salzburger Festspiele – Tosca - SPOLETTA
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso is an appropriate police agent Spoletta, both vocally and as a character."
Der neue Merker, Gottfried Franz Kasparek, 08.09.2021
Teatro Real Madrid – Tosca - SPOLETTA
"Mikeldi Axtlandabaso as Spoletta was as always outstanding."
Scherzo
www.scherzo.es
"Particularly worth mentioning is Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the sinister role of Spoletta."
ConcertoNet
www.concertonet.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Die Zauberflöte - MONOSTATOS
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso war ein exzellenter Monostatos – er ist stets ein echter Garant in diesen Charakteren."
Seen and Heard International
www.seenandheard-international.com
"The interpretation of tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as Monostatos was brilliant. A regular guest at the Teatro Real regular whose voice production is excellent. His timbre is simply insinuating and his projection so seamless, he always astonishes in principal roles. His solo aria “Alles fühlt der Liebe Freuden” was amusing and impeccable. His character was strongly defined as Noferatu, and Atxalandabaso gave a masterclass portrayal of this famous silent era vampire, under a heavy and probably uncomfortable characterization with splendid body work and big, convincing movements and gestures."
Opera Wire
www.operawire.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Falstaff - BARDOLFO
"Atxalandabaso ‘s voice is just incredible, having a lyrical instrument that projects wonderfully. His voice is always presents, even in choral scenes, and his articulation, diction and phrasing are impeccable. No wonder he made his operatic debut in the infamous short but devilish role of the “Pêcheur” in Rossini’s “William Tell.” It was funny to see him running across the stage wearing a bridal gown during the very last scene of the opera."
OperaWire
www.operawire.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Das Rheingold – MIME
"Also excellent Mikeldi Atxalandabaso’s Mime."
Online Merker
www.onlinemerker.com
"The Catalan Mikeldi Atxalandabaso is a sprightly and clear Mime, to whose “Siegfried” one eagerly looks forward."
Der Opernfreund
www.deropernfreund.de
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso was an impeccable Mime, proving once again that he possesses a voice that has no problem reaching the audience."
Seen and Heard international
www.seenandheard-international.com
"Excellent the lyrical tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as Mime with a brilliant vocal and scenic characterization."
Opera Actual
www.operaactual.com
"There was an appreciable vocal team of which we highlight the lyrical-light tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, who debuted Mime. Excellent for vocal characterization, with fair histrionics, and scenic attitude."
Spain´s News
www.spainsnews.com
"The slightly lyrical tenor Mikeldi Atxalandabaso was appropriately applauded for his secure, theatrical presentation and wonderful singing in his debut as Mime."
MUNDO CLASICO
www.mundoclasico.com
Gran Teatre de Liceu – Manon Lescaut - EDMONDO
"Minor roles included an excellent performance from Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as Edmondo."
bachtrack
www.bachtrack.com
Teatro Real Madrid – Roméo et Juliette – TYBALT
"Particularly worth mentioning was Mikeldi Atxalandabaso’s great performance as Tybalt. "
codalario
www.codalario.com
Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse –I Pagliacci –BEPPE
"Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as Beppe sang a beautiful Herlekin serenade."
carayonk
www.carayonk.wordpress.com
Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse – Le Prophète – JONAS
"… and Mikeldi Atxalandabaso as Jonas already conquered the Capitol’s audience with their voices. Their impeccable French pronunciation and their affinity with the characters , makes them stand out of the ensemble. "
Amalthée
www.amalthee-ecrivain.info
Teatro real Madrid – Carmen - REMENDADO
"…and Mikeldi Atxalandabaso in the role of Remendado was high class both vocally and actingly. "
Brio Clásica
www.amalthee-ecrivain.info
 
 
ON STAGE
Royal Opera House London – Rigoletto - Beppe
 
Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona – Wozzeck - HAUPTMANN
 
Opéra de Monte Carlo – Wozzeck - HAUPTMANN
 
Teatro Real Madrid - Rheingold - MIME
Photo: Javier del Real
 
Teatro Real Madrid - Rheingold - MIME
Photo: Javier del Real