Biography

Toomas Kaldaru is an Estonian collaborative pianist and opera coach, naturalized Italian, whose work unfolds across theatres, productions, and international professional contexts. Trained at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre  and the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, he has developed a practice that brings together musical, linguistic, and vocal expertise, with a focus on the preparation and artistic support of singers.

Alongside his work as a pianist and coach, he has performed professionally as an opera singer—an experience that has profoundly shaped his approach. Having experienced the stage from within allows him to understand the demands, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities involved in the singer's work during both rehearsal and production processes.

He currently works internationally as a collaborative pianist and opera coach, based in Rome, preparing singers for operatic roles and productions. He is Chief répétiteur at the Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu and is regularly involved in teaching activities at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

My path

Music and languages

I was born in Estonia, and from an early age two passions shaped my path: music—especially opera—and languages. Over time, these two dimensions intertwined and gradually became the core of my professional work.

Music as a relationship

The piano was my first instrument, but already during my studies it became clear that music, for me, was primarily about relationship: making music together, listening, responding, and building something in dialogue with others. Opera soon became the natural space for this exploration, through the close connection between music, language, and the human voice.

Experience as a singer

Alongside my piano studies, I trained as an opera singer and worked professionally in theatre. Although this phase of my career was limited in time, it proved fundamental: experiencing the stage from within allowed me to understand deeply the responsibilities, challenges, and vulnerabilities of the singer.

Working behind the scenes

In time, I realised that my place was not under the spotlight, but in the work of preparation, construction, and artistic support. Being a collaborative pianist and opera coach allows me to bring together musical, linguistic, and vocal skills in a practice that unfolds primarily within rehearsal spaces, through dialogue, trust, and focused work.

The role of language

Languages have always played a central role in my work. Living and working in international contexts has led me to consider text as an integral part of musical thinking: understanding a language means understanding its rhythm, its accents, and the intentions that shape musical expression.

A work in constant development

After many years of professional activity, I still consider myself first and foremost a worker in music. Every rehearsal is an opportunity to study, every collaboration a chance to listen and learn. This attitude, perhaps more than anything else, defines the way I work today.

For professional enquiries and collaborations: toomas.kaldaru@operacoach.it