A graduate of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, he furthered his training at the Zurich Opera’s International Opera Studio before joining the ensembles of Deutsche Oper am Rhein and Theater Kiel. Since 2018, he has pursued a successful freelance career.
Riihonen has appeared at many of the world’s most prestigious opera houses and festivals, including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, the Berlin State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, the Bayreuth Festival, the Prague State Opera, the Finnish National Opera, and the Savonlinna Opera Festival. His extensive repertoire includes major bass roles such as Sarastro, King Heinrich, King Philip II, Baron Ochs, Daland, Fafner, Fasolt, and Pimen.
An accomplished concert artist, Riihonen has performed in leading concert halls across Europe, collaborating with renowned conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Christian Thielemann, Kirill Petrenko, Semyon Bychkov and Andris Nelsons. He is also a respected vocal teacher at the Sibelius Academy, where he mentors the next generation of singers.
