NICO DARMANIN

Maltese tenor Nico Darmanin has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since his dazzling Royal Opera House debut in Les Vêpres Siciliennes under Sir Antonio Pappano. A Cardiff Singer of the World finalist and Austrian Music Theatre Award nominee, Nico has earned international acclaim as one of today’s leading interpreters of the bel canto repertoire, celebrated for his vocal brilliance, magnetic stage presence, and expressive artistry.

Hailing from Malta, Nico brings a Mediterranean warmth and passion to his performances, infusing every role with charisma and emotional depth.

Recent and notable engagements include Tonio (Grange Park Opera), Conte Almaviva (Teatro La Fenice, Opera National de Lorraine, Opera de Oviedo, Welsh National Opera, Teatro Regio Torino), Don Ramiro (Scottish Opera, The Grange Festival), Ernesto (Opera de Dijon, Welsh National Opera, Estonian National Opera), Alfredo (Opera de Limoges, Opera North, Estonian National Opera), and Conte Belfiore (Pesaro Rossini Festival). He has also appeared as Don Ottavio (Opera de Bordeaux, Israeli Opera, Glyndebourne, Nederlandse Reisopera, Oper Vlaanderen), Italian Tenor in Der Rosenkavalier (Oper Vlaanderen), Le Comte Ory (Dorset Opera), Rodrigo in Rossini’s Otello (Teatro Manoel, Valletta), Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette (Estonian National Opera), Uberto in La Donna del Lago (Buxton Festival), Lindoro in L’Italiana in Algeri (Tiroler Landestheater), Mergy in Le Pré aux Clercs (Wexford Festival), and Alberto in Rossini’s La Gazzetta (Salzburg Landestheater)—a role that earned him his Austrian Music Theatre Award nomination.

On the concert stage, Nico has performed across Europe, North America, and Canada, including appearances as Nicias (Thaïs) and Osiride (Mosè in Egitto) with Chelsea Opera Group. He also recently appeared as Raimbaud in Robert le Diable with Marc Minkowski and the Opéra National de Bordeaux—now available on disc. His other recordings include works by Arthur Sullivan and a collection of Massenet songs, both in collaboration with the legendary Richard Bonynge.

Outside the opera house, Nico leads an adventurous and active life, skiing, surfing, golfing, and scuba diving, pursuits that mirror his artistic spirit: a blend of precision, passion, and daring.

A versatile performer and fearless explorer, Nico Darmanin continues to enchant audiences at the world’s leading opera houses, establishing himself as a tenor of exceptional skill, style, and charisma.

Notable highlights include being a finalist at the 2015 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and his nomination for Best Male Lead in the 2020 Austrian Music Society Awards for La Gazzetta. He also features on multiple award-winning recordings, including Robert le Diable and Fausto with Palazzetto Bru Zane.