Since having finished her musical studies at the Conservatoire Superieure in Paris Finnish mezzo soprano Katherine Haataja, Artistic Director and Founder of the Operosa Opera Festival, has had an extensive international opera career. For the past several years her work has ranged from Handel and Mozart to Wagner and Strauss with performances in France, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Italy and in the UK at various Opera Festivals, Queen Elisabeth Hall and the Royal Albert Hall in London.
During her stay in Bulgaria she was invited to sing at the Sofia National Opera, National Theatre Ivan Vazov and the National Palace of Culture. She introduced the Operosa Label by recording a series of arias in collaboration with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. She is an established recitalist performing at international music festivals and concert venues with guest appearances across Europe, most recently in Rome, London and Belgrade.
Katherine initiated the Operosa Opera Festival in 2006 with the purpose of promoting young operatic talent. The Operosa events have since expanded from Bulgaria to Serbia and Montenegro and have become highlights of the cultural life in the region attracting an ever growing local and international audience and media. Past Operosa productions have offered performances of a wider variety of operas including rarely seen works such as “La Voix Humaine” by F. Poulenc and “Pimpinone” by G. Ph. Telemann. In 2014 Operosa Opera Festival introduced the first full scale international opera production in Montenegro with "Romeo & Juliette" by Charles Gounod at Porto Montenegro.
Katherine also developed the Operosa Academia educational project of vocal performance master classes and stage workshops in Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria for young singers which focus on Baroque and Classical repertoire. The Academia Master Class guests have included distinguished world renowned names such as Darina Takova, Marijana Mijanovic and Jennifer Larmore.
Katherine has been a jury member at several international singing competitions; she teaches regularly at various Master Classes and works as vocal coach. She is currently Artistic and Managing Director of Operosa Foundation and Ltd and a member of various international opera and performing arts related marketing, fundraising and educational associations.