Spotlight on Karita Mattila lain Burnside talks to Karita Mattila about her career as one today's most exciting sopranos on the recital platform and on the opera stage. Since becoming the first-ever Cardiff Singer of the World in 1983 she has carefully avoided the pit-falls of early fame. Instead of tackling the heavier roles too early in her career she has wisely taken everything in her stride while also championing some of the lesser-known song composers of her native Finland.