Raiko Raalik

Ensemble: Vanemuine Theatre

Freelancer: Estonian National Opera, Immling Festival

Raiko Raalik is a bass-baritone and soloist at the Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu, Estonia. His ongoing collaboration with the company began in 2017, initially as a grantee of the Estonian National Opera, before being appointed a soloist in 2018. As a freelancer, he has appeared with the Estonian National Opera and at the Immling Festival in Germany.

Mr. Raalik studied voice at the Heino Eller Music School under Taisto Noor, and continued his training at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with Taavi Tampuu. He has further participated in masterclasses with Caroline Dowdle, Jaakko Ryhänen, Kamal Khan, and Janet Williams.

Since joining Vanemuine Theatre, Mr. Raalik has performed a wide range of roles, including the title role in Eino Tamberg’s Cyrano de Bergerac, Golaud in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Dulcamara in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. His repertoire also includes Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Colline and Schaunard (La bohème), and Ferrando (Il trovatore), among many others.

In 2019, Mr. Raalik was honored with the Naan Põld Award and received a scholarship from the Estonian National Culture Foundation. The following year, he garnered an award for the best interpretation of an aria of an Italian subject at the 12th International Singing Contest in Immling. Additionally, 2020 saw him winning first place at the Vello Jürna Singing Competition, along with special prizes from PromFest, Estonia Concert, and Vanemuine Theatre.

In 2024, Mr. Raalik's outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Annual Estonian Theatre Award for his portrayal of the title role in Eino Tamberg’s opera “Cyrano de Bergerac” and his role as Golaud in Claude Debussy’s opera “Pelléas et Mélisande” at the Vanemuine Theatre.