Uetam: Rebirth of a Legend

Francisco Mateu y Nicolau

Francisco Mateu y Nicolau was born in Palma de Mallorca on 4 May 1847. Instead of following his father's will and going to sea, the young man chose a career in opera - and under the name of "Uetam" became one of the greatest opera stars of the 19th century.

Little Mateu was born as the youngest child of six siblings in simple circumstances. His father was a sailor and rarely at home. The mother saved the small amount of money that was left over and tried to offer the children a decent home despite the difficulties. Mateu had to work at an early age. He started an apprenticeship as a cobbler and, to make up for the low wages, he worked at night at the Theatro Municipal as a stagehand. Whether it was the financial constraints that drew the young man to the theatre, or whether it was his passion he discovered at an early age can no longer be traced today. Whatever the fortunate turn of fate, it is certain that the great conductor Juan Goula heard the poor cobbler singing backstage and Mateu became Uetam.

The Opera Singer

"Uetam's" bass voice became legendary throughout Europe in the 19th century and caused a sensation. In operas and operettas from "Aida" to "The Magic Flute" he inspired his audience. "Doctor Faust", "The Barber of Seville", "Mefisto", and "The Sleepwalker" were inconceivable without "the most famous bass of his time".

Paris, Madrid, St. Petersburg and many more, the great opera houses of the world and the hearts of the audience were conquered by the little Mallorcan whose birthplace, where the family lived in a small room, still lies almost unchanged in the heart of the old town of Palma.

Here are some operas that UETAM sang:

Thomas Ambroise 
MIGNIN LOTHARIO

Vincenzo Bellini 
I PURITANI
LA SONNAMBULA 
NORMA

Gaetano Donizetti 
LINDA DE CHAMOUNIX 
POLIUTO
LA FAVORITE
LUCREZIA BORGIA
DON PASQUALE
LUCIA DI MAMERMOOR

Jacques Halévy 
LA HEBRA/LA JUIVE

Giuseppe Verdi 
AIDA 
ERNANI

Simon Boccanegra
IL TROVATORE 
REQUIEM

Felip Pedre 
QUASIMODO

Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber 
FRA DIAVOLO