Nicholas Tamagna is a globally celebrated countertenor, renowned for his expressive power in Baroque and early music, as well as his fearless ventures into contemporary repertoire. Known for his striking stage presence and deep musical insight, Tamagna has brought iconic roles to life on some of the world’s most prestigious opera stages.
In 2020, he made a remarkable debut at the Metropolitan Opera, followed by his 2024 debut at the San Francisco Opera—two milestones that have defined his dynamic career and international recognition. In 2025 he makes his debut at the Petruzzelli Theater in Bari, Italy in the title role of Händel’s Giulio Cesare. He also is a frequent interpreter of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, having sung it at Opera Memphis, Israeli National Opera, and Opera in Williamsburg, as well as concert versions in Germany and the USA. He will also be in two reprisal productions in 2026 at Theater an der Wien with Parnassus Arts Productions and with Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques.
A Leading Interpreter of Händel and Early Baroque Roles
Over the course of his career, Nicholas Tamagna has developed a deep affinity with the works of George Frideric Händel, performing a wide range of the composer’s leading and supporting roles across major opera houses and festivals. His repertoire includes Ruggiero in Alcina and the title roles in Rinaldo, Orlando and Giulio Cesare. He has also appeared as Adalberto in Ottone, Bertarido and Unulfo in Rodelinda, and Nireno and Tolomeo in Giulio Cesare. Known for stylistic precision and expressive clarity, Tamagna’s Händel interpretations combine technical control with dramatic conviction, earning him recognition as a versatile and authentic performer within the Baroque repertoire.
Beyond his extensive work in Händel’s operas, Nicholas Tamagna has distinguished himself in a wide range of Baroque repertoire by other masters of the 17th and 18th centuries. He has appeared in Vivaldi’s Orlando furioso and Farnace, notably at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Russia (2019), and The Megaron in Athens, Greece (2019), where his vivid characterization and agile technique were widely praised. His performances in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice—including recent acclaimed productions in Israel, USA, and Germany—have showcased his ability to merge expressive restraint with dramatic intensity. Tamagna has also interpreted roles in operas by Antonio Caldara and Leonardo Vinci, bringing to light lesser-known works from the high Baroque period with stylistic insight and vocal finesse. This broad engagement with the repertoire underscores his versatility and his ongoing commitment to reviving forgotten masterpieces of the early operatic canon.
Early Baroque Roots: Monteverdi and Beyond
While best known for his Händel interpretations, Tamagna also draws from earlier 17th-century repertoire with equal expertise. He has performed Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea with the Florentine Opera, Amore in Schütz’s Dafne with his own festival, Münstermann Festival in Oldenburg, and the title role in Legrenzi’s Il Giustino with Pinchgut Opera in Sydney. His collaboration with the ensemble ¡Sacabuche! further highlights his dedication to early Baroque music, exploring rarely performed works of the Venetian and North Italian schools on a special recorded album recorded in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Across both stage and studio, his interpretations demonstrate stylistic integrity, expressive range, and a deep understanding of early vocal traditions.
Recordings & Musical Innovation
His discography includes Vinci: Gismondo, re di Polonia with {oh!} Orkiestra (Parnassus Arts Productions), featuring Max Emanuel Cencic and others (2020); Le Poème Harmonique – Son of England (Purcell & Clarke) under Vincent Dumestre (Alpha, 2015) ; Pera Ensemble – Sultans of the Opera (Dream of the Orient) (2024) ; ENEA Barock Orchestra – Donne all’Opera (Arion, 2024); and 17th-Century Italian Motets with the ensemble ¡Sacabuche!
Educator & Mentor
A passionate educator, Tamagna has been a regularly invited teacher at colleges and universities such as Baroque Vocal Academy at the University of Mainz, Marist College, City University of New York at Hunter College, and Manhattan School of Music.
Global Artist with Deep Roots
A native of New York City, Nicholas Tamagna holds dual citizenship in Italy and the United States, and is now based in Germany, where he works as a freelance artist throughout Europe and internationally.
Beyond his stage work, Tamagna maintains close artistic and cultural ties with both North America and Europe, often bridging traditions through international collaborations and interdisciplinary projects. Fluent in multiple languages and deeply engaged with historical and contemporary performance practices, he continues to balance an active global career with a rooted commitment to education, mentorship, and artistic innovation.