MARIA TURUNEN

Biography

Maria Turunen is a young dramatic soprano specializing in Zwischenfach repertoire. She made her professional debut in spring 2022 as Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana at Åbo Svenska Teater, stepping into the role with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Since 2020, Maria has appeared in several productions at the Finnish National Opera. Her roles there include Maija Harri in Leevi Madetoja’s The Ostrobothnians and Waltraute in Wagner’s Die Walküre. She has also covered the roles of Katerina Izmailova in Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Her other stage roles include Queen Hedvig Eleonora in Kung Karls Jakt (F. Pacius), the title role in Suor Angelica (G. Puccini), Lady Billows in Albert Herring (B. Britten), Brunhilde in Die lustigen Nibelungen (O. Straus), Mrs. Klein in Poltettu oranssi (T. Marttinen), and the Mother in Loputon lompsa (K. Lintinen).

Together with pianist Armaan Madar, Maria won first prize in the Helsinki Lied competition (2021) and second prize in the Merikanto competition (2022). She is grateful to the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and the Finnish Wagner Society for their generous support.

Maria holds a Master’s degree in Opera from both the Sibelius Academy (Helsinki) and the University College of Opera (Stockholm), as well as a degree in vocal pedagogy from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. She also holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki.