Lisette Oropesa is one of those exceptional things that appears, like a Haley Comet, once every 10 years.

- Notodo

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.

Lisette Oropesa in New Orleans

Cuban-American soprano Lisette Oropesa who has "an endless supply of golden-age trills," (Opera News) and "involves herself deeply in the words she sings," (New York Times)

She has a "technique without weakness" (Codalario) and "everything she touches turns into gold" (Place de l'Opera)

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.

Current Season

In the fall of 2018, Lisette starred Marguerite de Valois in a new production of LES HUGUENOTS at the Opéra National de Paris, and sang Adina in L'ELISIR D'AMORE immediately after.  She then sang Gilda in a new production of RIGOLETTO at the Teatro dell’opera di Roma.  She then gave two solo concerts, taught masterclasses, and this spring she makes her debut in the title role of RODELINDA, at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.  Afterwards, she heads to Bruxelles to make another major debut, as Isabelle in ROBERT LE DIABLE.  Lisette then heads back to the United States to revisit the role of Norina in DON PASQUALE at the Pittsburgh Opera.  Then her season comes to a close at Teatro alla Scala, where Lisette makes her debut in the role of Amalia in a new production of Verdi’s I MASNADIERI.  The production tours to the Savonlinna Festival over the summer. Lisette will then return to the Metropolitan Opera in two title roles, MANON and LA TRAVIATA.

Lisette Oropesa…relève du miracle artistique qu’on voudrait ne jamais quitter et voir se répéter sans cesse. (ResMusica)

La voz es bella, cálida, rica en colores, tan fascinante como su riqueza expresiva. (El Pais)

Career Highlights

Lisette Oropesa at the Park Avenue Armory, New York

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.

In the U.S., Lisette has appeared at the Met, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Philadelphia Opera, and the Washington National Opera, among others. Lisette's career also includes oratorio, recital, and concert repertoire. She has released two recital albums, titled Within/Without, and Aux filles du désert, and has performed recitals in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and more. In concert she has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, among others. She has sung at Carnegie Hall, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, The Ravinia Festival, The Tanglewood Music Festival, The Chicago Bach Project, The Mostly Mozart Music Festival, and more. She has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Riccardo Muti, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Anthony Pappano, Daniele Gatti, Fabio Luisi, Ivor Bolton, William Christie, and many more.