From a dazzling debut alongside Luciano Pavarotti to more than one hundred performances at the Metropolitan Opera, American baritone Jeffrey Mattsey has built a career defined by versatility, artistry, and staying power.

A native of Blue Island, Illinois, Mattsey discovered his love for singing early and earned his Bachelor of Music from DePaul University. At just twenty-one, he won the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, launching his career in dramatic fashion when he performed Marcello in La Bohème opposite Pavarotti for the Opera Company of Philadelphia — a performance later televised in Scenes from La Bohème: A Pavarotti Celebration on PBS.

Since then, Mattsey has sung with major opera houses across North America and abroad, including the Metropolitan Opera, where he appeared in over 100 performances from 1998 to 2019. His Met roles have included Marcello, Mercutio, Marullo, Montano, Silvano, and Señor Cascada, among many others — appearances that earned him the affectionate reputation of a “house favorite.” Internationally, his engagements have taken him to Berlin, Buenos Aires, Modena, Genoa, Beijing, and beyond.

Celebrated for the “warm, burnished sound” and natural charisma that critics have praised in his portrayals of Marcello and Germont, Mattsey has proven equally at home in both comedy and drama. His repertoire spans from Mozart’s Figaro and Don Giovanni to Verdi’s Germont, Puccini’s Sharpless, and Donizetti’s Dr. Malatesta, as well as crossover roles in musical theater. Recent seasons have showcased his range in concert performances with symphonies across the U.S., and in 2025 he will make his much-anticipated role debut as Sweeney Todd with Opera Idaho.

Mattsey’s artistry extends beyond the stage. A passionate mentor, he serves as Program Director for Perform Opera in Italy and is on the faculty of Chicago Summer Opera, helping to shape the next generation of singers through masterclasses and private coaching. He has also taught at the Longy School of Music of Bard College and been a guest artist at numerous young-artist programs.

Equally engaging offstage, Mattsey is known for his sense of humor and approachability. His unexpected appearance on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City, where he sang “Largo al factotum” at a charity gala, offered a playful glimpse of opera’s broader appeal — and of Mattsey’s own charm.

From his early triumphs with Pavarotti to his ongoing performances and mentorship, Jeffrey Mattsey exemplifies a life in music both accomplished and evolving — one marked by integrity, warmth, and a voice that continues to captivate audiences around the world.