Mattia Hwaeum Lee - Concorso Viotti

MATTIA HWAEUM LEE

The baritone Hwaeum Lee is currently studying at the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts and was admitted to the Korea National Opera Opera Studio in 2022. He was a finalist at the Riccardo Zandonai International Competition (2025), a semi-finalist at the International Belvedere Competition (2024), and a first prize winner at the 9th International Vocal Competition Korean Classical Singers (2023). Educated in Korea, his performance highlights include leading roles in Rigoletto and L’elisir d’amore at the Korea National Opera Gala.

PROGRAM

First Round

Giuseppe Verdi — Don Carlo — “O Carlo, ascolta… Io morrò”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Le nozze di Figaro — “Hai già vinta la causa… Vedrò, mentr’io sospiro”

Semifinal

Sergei Rachmaninoff — Six Romances, Op. 8 — “Son”

Richard Wagner — Tannhäuser — “Wie Todesahnung… O du mein holder Abendstern”

Gaetano Donizetti — Poliuto — “Decio, signor del mondo… Di tua beltade immagine”

Final with orchestra

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The first round combines the psychological insight of Mozart and the tragic intensity of Verdian drama. The semifinal offers the refined introspection of Rachmaninoff, the lyrical romanticism of Wagner, and the belcanto drama of Donizetti.

In the aria “Di tua beltade immagine” from Poliuto, the protagonist Poliuto, a Christian convert, faces his destiny as a martyr. He invokes the strength that comes from the image of his beloved Paolina to face martyrdom for his faith.

“Son” (Dream) by Rachmaninoff is a concert romance from the Six Romances, Op. 8 cycle. The text by Aleksey Tolstoy describes the sweet and melancholic vision of a dream, which the character hopes not to lose upon waking, a moment of pure and delicate introspection.