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Lisette Oropesa, Queen of Belcanto, Portrait

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Lisette Oropesa is one of the most in demand lyric coloraturas today, who has triumphed in various roles throughout the most important houses in Europe and the US.

A bel canto singer of considerable acclaim, Lisette recently had a major success at Covent Garden and the Teatro Real Madrid as LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. This season Lisette is set to make major role debuts at Opera National de Paris and Teatro alla Scala. Known for her liquid legato and seamless technique, stylistic integrity, precise coloratura, and superlative acting, Lisette excels in the repertoire of the bel canto, Mozart, and French composers.

Park Avenue Armory - Rectial
Photo by Steven Harris


I admire her for her talent and her closeness to the fans. She takes an incredible amount of time, gives master classes and passes on her skills to young up-and-coming singers. You can feel her naturalness in private but also on stage.

The era of the Queen of Belcanto continues with Lisette Oropesa. She masters all registers with bravura, Messa di voce, and with good reason, she’s called the queen of trills. After Edita Gruberova we finally have someone at the top again. Unfortunately, as with many artists, all concerts have been cancelled due to Corona. We are all waiting with longing until we can sit in the front row again and listen to the unique art of Lisette.

Biography

Lisette was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Cuban parents, and played the flute for 12 years before she began her studies in vocal performance at Louisiana State University. After winning the Met Opera National Council Auditions, she entered the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and moved to New York City. She sang her first major role, Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, at the Met at the age of 22, and has sung there in over 100 performances in many different roles since. She has appeared in concert halls and opera stages all over the world since graduating from the young artist program in 2008, and has become one of the most celebrated singers of her generation, both for her singing and her inspiring personal story. Lisette is a devoted runner who has completed 6 marathons and is an advocate for health and fitness.

Traviata, Metropolitan Opera, Lisette Oropesa
Traviata | Photo by Richard Termine / Metropolitan Opera
Lisette began her career at the Metropolitan Opera, and has starred in various roles there, including Nannetta in FALSTAFF, Gretel in HANSEL AND GRETEL, Gilda in RIGOLETTO, and Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO. She has appeared many times with the Bayerische Staatsoper as Konstanze in DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL, a role she has also sung at the Opéra National de Paris. Her most performed role is Gilda in RIGOLETTO, which she has sung at the Dutch National Opera, Teatro dell’opera di Roma, Los Angeles Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, and the Teatro Real. In the U.K., Lisette triumphed as Norina in DON PASQUALE at Glyndebourne, and as LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Other roles include Ophélie in HAMLET, Cleopatra in GIULIO CESARE, Leïla in LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES, Marie in LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, Amalia in I MASNADIERI, and Violetta in LA TRAVIATA.
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