OPERA ON SOLO PIANO by Matthew Toogood

Discovering Music from the Podium to the Piano:
Welcome to Matthew Toogood Conductor
Website: www.matthewtoogood.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewToogood

As a conductor, I’ve always believed that music lives most fully when it’s shared — not just
on stage, but in conversation, collaboration, and discovery. That belief is what inspired me to
launch my YouTube channel, Matthew Toogood Conductor. It’s a space where I explore the
musical world from the podium to the piano and beyond, offering insights into the repertoire I
love, the craft of conducting, and the collaborative spirit that powers opera and orchestral
performance.

A Bit About Me
My name is Matthew Toogood, and I’m a conductor based in Berlin, with a particular passion
for late 19th- and early 20th-century repertoire — composers like Wagner, Strauss, Janáček,
Britten, Puccini, and Szymanowski.

My career has taken me from Australia to stages across
Europe, with recent engagements at the Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck, Konzerttheater
Bern, Nationaltheater Mannheim, and the Komische Oper Berlin. Along the way, I’ve had the
privilege to work across opera, ballet, symphonic repertoire, and contemporary music,
always with the aim of fostering excellence and expression through collaboration.

How the Channel Began
The idea for Matthew Toogood Conductor first took shape during the pandemic. Like many
musicians, I was searching for ways to keep making music despite the shutdowns. I had
been asked to record Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone for an online opera project by the
Australian Contemporary Opera Company. That experience led to a realisation for me that,
even in isolation, we could still collaborate creatively and meaningfully.

I began recording piano accompaniments from the empty theatre rehearsal rooms, imagining
singers and instrumentalists around the world practicing, rehearsing, or even performing
alongside these tracks. I was reminded of the first professional concert that I conducted in
Melbourne – Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater – and how accessible it was as a piece for two soloists
or choir. Hence it was the first full accompaniment I released on my channel, adding learning
tracks for those practicing alone during the pandemic.

Soon after, I started receiving requests from saxophonists and singers for specific accompaniments. That’s when I realised
the channel could also serve an educational purpose: a place where musicians could access
high-quality, flexible accompaniment recordings as part of their practice and preparation.
This became particularly pertinent in the summer of 2021, when I worked at the Berlin Opera
Academy. Students from around the world were coming together for intensive opera
productions, and I was conducting Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica. With three
casts and a limited rehearsal period, time was a precious resource. By recording
accompaniment tracks, I was able to provide the singers with the means to rehearse
independently when not directly involved in staging sessions. It became a practical and
efficient way to extend the rehearsal room and support young artists in preparing their roles
with confidence. When it came to conducting Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos for the summer
program in 2023, I was very diligent in making the entire accompaniment available to the
students with as much preparation time before their arrival.

For singers I work with regularly — whether in person, in coaching, or in upcoming
productions — these recordings have become an additional tool for deeper preparation and
musical alignment before we even step into the same room.
But the process wasn’t just practical — it was also deeply personal. Due to the coronavirus
pandemic, a large part of my season at Konzerttheater Bern was cut short. One of the most
emotionally devastating cancellations was what would have been my debut conducting
Wagner’s Parsifal. As a form of artistic therapy, I decided to record the entire piano
accompaniment to Parsifal. It became a way to remain connected to the score, to process
the loss, and to maintain a creative dialogue with a work I had been preparing intensely. In a
time of silence, it helped me keep the music alive.

Keeping the Repertoire Alive
One of the things I enjoy most about continuing my channel is that it keeps my skills as a
pianist active, while also helping me revise and re-engage with repertoire I’ve conducted —
or plan to conduct in the future (Wagner’s Ring being the biggest bucket on the list). Many of
the Lieder accompaniments, such as Schubert’s Winterreise, were recorded while preparing
for recitals in Bayreuth, Berlin, and Australia. It felt completely natural to include them on the
channel and make them accessible to a broader audience.
Before relocating to Europe, I began my career in Australia conducting choral societies such
as the Heidelberg Choral Society and Victoria Chorale. These were wonderfully inclusive
ensembles, where amateur choristers brought enormous dedication and love to the music —
often tackling ambitious, complex works. I’ve since revisited some of those pieces on the
channel, including Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem and upcoming
Händel’s Messiah. By providing high-quality accompaniment resources, I hope to foster that
same enthusiasm and make it easier for choirs and individual singers — whether
professional or amateur — to prepare, learn, and enjoy the process of making music.

What You’ll Find on the Channel
Since its inception, Matthew Toogood Conductor has grown into a space for all kinds of
musical exploration. On the channel, you’ll find:
● Rehearsal footage and performance highlights, offering a close-up view of the
conductor-musician relationship in action
● Behind-the-scenes reflections on productions and preparation, from shaping an
opera season to navigating a new score.
● Insights into repertoire, particularly the music of Wagner, Janáček, Verdi, and
others whose works have shaped my musical life

● Predominantly Piano accompaniment recordings as a free resource for singers
and instrumentalists, often tailored to specific requests and educational contexts.
From Opera to Lieder, secular to sacred, and the occasional blooper reel.

Who It’s For
Whether you’re a student or professional, an opera or choral enthusiast, or simply curious
about what it takes to bring complex works to life on stage, there’s something here for you.
My hope is that the channel continues to serve as a kind of digital rehearsal room — a safe
place to engage, try-out, and be inspired. I’ve been surprised at how many industry people
have said to me: “oh, you’re Matthew Toogood. I’ve watched / sung along to your videos!”
Let’s Connect
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to subscribe to Matthew Toogood Conductor on
YouTube. And if there’s a particular topic you’d like me to explore — from the nuts and bolts
of score preparation to stories from the pit — feel free to leave a comment or reach out
directly. I also accept commissions to record specific accompaniments.
Thanks for joining me on this musical journey. I look forward to sharing more with you —
from Berlin and wherever else the music leads.

Warmly,
Matthew

Insights into performance videos:
Valentines Romeo: https://youtube.com/shorts/KVtTFZpLEa8
First day: https://youtu.be/0Ccb4CtCVC8
Dangerous Second performance: https://youtube.com/shorts/4lL2LzwD_74
Post-Covid Opera: https://youtu.be/CYVx77Chz6E

Accompaniments mentioned in blog:
Parsifal (2.Aufzug): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPM-8EoKeTE
Ariadne auf Naxos: https://youtu.be/b_5J8LVTnxM
Stabat Mater (complete): https://youtu.be/vDfbq4J-o00
Suor Angelica: https://youtu.be/4kstRlwsoCg
Gianni Schicchi: https://youtu.be/pR3lDr6U6Xc
Mozart Requiem: https://youtu.be/oYnrD8W8gq4
Winterreise: https://youtu.be/vum48s9KVYc
Faure Requiem: https://youtu.be/-T3G42LRTJU