Career

Oropesa, muy querida por el público en Madrid, es una grandísima soprano lírica que ha ido madurando y ensanchando su voz a lo largo de su carrera, manteniendo la limpieza y transparencia de su canto, un fiato apabullante y un característico vibrato tan personal.

—  Jean Valjean  •  El Español

Nos gustó mucho el melismático bolero de Delibes en el que exhibió todo tipo de escalas, picados y sostenidos gorgoritos y una inmaculada afinación. En la segunda mitad, como belcantista de depurada técnica, la jovial soprano atrajo la atención con el aria de la ópera L´Elisir D´Amore de Donizetti y sobre todo, en la difícil canzonetta «La Primavera» de Mercadante. Sin duda, Lisette Oropesa se movió a sus anchas en las piezas más ligeras, en las que su voz se adentraba con absoluta seguridad en los filados etéreos y en el dominio del registro agudo.

—  Nino Dentici  •  El Correo

Un menu conséquent en somme, que la soprano vedette dévore avec un appétit qui semble plus que jamais venir en chantant. L’interprète confère à chaque mot tout son sens, à chaque émotion tout son poids, qu’il s’agisse d’évoquer l’amour, la peine, le rêve ou le regret. De cette Andalousie dont il est d’abord question, l’artiste restitue la chaleur et l’âme, dansante et enivrante, d’une voix aussi large que les jardins de l’Alcazar, avec un timbre aussi chaud et fleuri qu’une rue du vieux Cadix. Il y a aussi ce soleil, éclatant, qui émane d’aigus hardis mais tout en maîtrise, ici triomphaux, là presque susurrés, mais toujours d’une implacable tenue sonore. Le public s’en délecte, applaudissant après chaque mélodie cette artiste n’hésitant pas, à l’occasion, à esquisser quelques pas de danse chaloupés.

—  Pierre Géraudie  •  Olyrix

One of the striking features of the program was how quickly and seamlessly Oropesa could turn on a dime from extroverted vocal display to quiet introspection or sensuous languor in the more serious song selections. The timbre would morph from diamantine brilliance to a darker silver tone with a cool luster depending on the music.

—  Eli Jacobson  •  Parterre

Enfin, Lisette Oropesa déclame avec un solide legato, une prononciation impeccable et une égalité dans les registres, de longues phrases incarnées et défendues avec une émotion palpable, notamment son entrée et sa partie conclusive où la salle frémit avec elle de l’intensité du moment et de la gravité d’un texte musical aussi impérissable.

—  Philippe Scagni  •  Olyrix

La soprano estadounidense de origen cubano no defraudó en su debut europeo con este complejo personaje de Massenet, el pasado jueves 3 de octubre, en Valencia. Fue una inauguración de lujo de la temporada 24/25 en el Palau de Les Arts que coincidió, el día anterior, con el reconocimiento de Oropesa como mejor cantante femenina en la gala de los International Opera Awards celebrada en Múnich. La cantante cautivó al público desde su primera intervención, en el aria Je suis encore tout étourdie, con exquisitas coloraturas añadidas a sus carcajadas, después de fascinar con su fraseo de la inicial resignación a entrar en un convento. Una caracterización de la inocencia y la sensualidad tan corpórea como flexible y natural. La prosiguió en Voyons, Manon o, ya en el segundo acto, en la bella Adieu, notre petite table. Cosechó la mayor ovación de la noche tras cantar una refinada y virtuosa gavotte del cuadro de Cours-la-Reine, en el tercer acto, que salpicó de brillantes sobreagudos. Pero lo mejor de la noche lo escuchamos poco después, en el irresistible N’est-ce plus ma main del cuadro de Saint-Sulpice, donde convence a Des Grieux de que renuncie a los hábitos con un excepcional legato y maravillosos filados.

—  Pablo L. Rodríguez  •  El Pais

Allen voran die mitreißend singende wie auch darstellerisch berührende Lisette Oropesa in der Titelrolle. Die kubanisch-amerikanische Sopranistin bringt alles mit, was für diese Rolle essenziell ist: Eine wunderschöne Stimme, gerade groß genug, hell und fein timbriert, ausdrucksstark und technisch so versiert, dass sie mit eleganter Leichtigkeit anmutig und geradezu schwerelos durch die Kadenzen schweben kann. Sie ist zu zartestem Pianissimo fähig, aber auch in kraftvolle Sequenzen wie in „Sempre lbera“ sattelfest.  Bewundernswert, wie sich Oropesa in den sich ändernden Gefühlswelten verwandeln kann, von verliebter Glückseligkeit im ersten Akt bis zur erschütternden Verzweiflung in „Addio del passato“ und dem letzten Aufflackern des Lebens- und Liebenswillen angesichts des Todes. Darstellerisch überzeugt sie mit ehrlicher, liebenswerter Aufrichtigkeit, nicht mit großen Gesten.

—  Manfred A. Schmid  •  Online Merker

Die anspruchsvolle Rolle der Ophélie, die als Hamlets Braut unschuldig in dessen Rachepläne verwickelt wird und als "Verstoßene" im emotionalen Chaos Suizid begeht, liegt Lisette Oropesa gut. Von ihrer einsamen Wahnsinns-Szene mit Wechseln von Liebe zu Zweifeln und Verzweiflung, "À vos jeux, mes amis" als Höhepunkt der Oper konnte man nicht unberührt bleiben. Da hat man sich doch eine szenische Fassung herbeigewünscht, welche der hervorragenden Koloratursopranistin mehr Spielraum geboten hätte. Dennoch: das Publikum tobte.

—  Ernst P. Strobl  •  Salzburger Nachrichten

Fue el preludio antes de acompañar, juntos, a la protagonista, una de las sopranos más solicitadas del mundo y que demostró el motivo de su apretada agenda. Hablamos de Lisette Oropesa, quien deslumbró a propios y extraños con un repertorio variado en el que obras maestras de grandes como Donizetti, Verdi, Bellini o Rossini desfilaban por su garganta moldeadas por una voz que une la suavidad del terciopelo y la agradable frescura de una brisa veraniega.

—  P. Pellicer  •  Ultima Hora

The second songs were two Mozart concert arias by American soprano Lisette Oropesa. It was a superb performance combining Oropesa's flawless technique, rich tone, and wonderful accompaniment worthy of an opera orchestra. I thought it would have been great if yesterday's program consisted of only Mozart opera overtures and arias.

—  Gwangyeol Jeon  •  MBN (MSN.com)

In her early Mozart aria A Berenice, Ms. Oropesa changed colors, played with the words, ripped up and down the scale like a marathon sprinter, and offered a rainbow-colored gift to us all.(By the way the story that A Berenice was the 13‑year‑old Mozart’s thank‑you letter to Aunt Berenice for a bar mitzvah gift is almost certainly fallacious.)This was Queen of the Night stuff incarnate. Coloratura, yes, with scales darting past a high D. Yet also tender, with a sensuous legato. Trills worthy of any Classical diva, precise leaps over the octaves. But above all, a care for the words, a change of sounds, a miraculous merger of vocalism and verbal understanding.

—  Harry Rolnick  •  Concerto Net

The soprano Lisette Oropesa showed brilliant vocal acting in her Don Pasquale nugget and later soared assuredly over the trio from Der Rosenkavalier.  the ecstatic conclusion to Rossini’s William Tell, with Finley as the Swiss freedom fighter, Oropesa’s soprano glinting again and the chorus movingly imploring: “Reign over us once more!” 

—  Neil Fisher  •  The Times

Por último, la soprano Lisette Oropesa demostró ser la voz más en forma y fresca. Con una técnica cristalina, de dicción clara y coloraturas radiantes, fue una eléctrica Adina en su dúo con Camarena, grácil en su romanza de la zarzuela Monte Carmelo de Moreno Toronja y rutilante en su vals de Juliette. Dejó al público con ganas de un deseado regreso con un rol protagónico, ya que se encuentra en el mejor momento de su carrera.

—  Jordi Maddaleno  •  La Vanguardia

Singolarmente la Oropesa ha giocato le sue carte migliori nell’aria dai Masnadieri (opera con cui aveva fatto il suo fortunato debutto nella sala del Piermarini), come nell’aria dei gioielli del Faust, in cui ha fatto valere tutta la sua souplesse virtuosistica come i trilli granitissimi,  per guadagnarsi poi il massimo successo nella struggente “Robert, toi que j’aime” dal Robert le Diable di Meyerbeer, magistralmente risolta con una levigatezza d’emissione, una fantasia nelle mezzevoci e nei pianissimi, una cadenza spettacolare per arditezza strumentale e precisione davvero superlative.

—  Davide Annachini  •  DelTeatro

Lisette Oropesa démontre sa maîtrise, avec subtilité, du répertoire italien, notamment dans la virtuosité et l'ornementation, parée en sus de trilles enivrants. Le répertoire français (Marguerite, Isabelle) reprend et épanouit ces couleurs, dans une gradation des sentiments et des demi-teintes rayonnantes de transparence. 

—  José Pons  •  Olyrix

La Oropesa è un’Amina deliziosa, ingenua e tenera ma non manierata, anzi resa molto autentica e viva dalla toccante alternanza di momenti intensi di malinconia, felicità, drammaticità ed esultanza. Il suo timbro è particolare, comunicativo e simpatico, il suo stile e la sua tecnica sono inappuntabili.

—  Mauro Mariani  •  Giornale della Musica

Fulminant gerät sein Duett mit Lisette Oropesa als Mathilde. Diese Sopranistin betört mit wohldosierter Intensität, Noblesse und brillanter Stimmführung.

—  Kurier  •  Kurier

Mais Violetta Valéry, en ce dimanche après-midi, n'est nulle autre que Lisette Oropesa, triomphale de puissance mélodieuse tout en incarnant parfaitement la séductrice assumée. Son jeu et sa voix dynamique élargissent l'espace scénique et acoustique, sachant percer le mur d'orchestre et des c(h)œurs par ses accents, sans négliger les grands moments de douceurs et la claire déclamation du texte.

—  Juan Barrios  •  Olyrix

It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate choice for the role of Cleopatra than the incandescent Lisette Oropesa. A coquette par excellence, she has the vocal and dramatic prowess to embody Ptolemaic Egypt’s last queen. Her glorious lyric coloratura had just the right timbre, feminine and fruity. Vocally, she excelled in all her arias, but her Act II aria “V’adoro pupille” was the most sensual. Technically, her Act III aria “Da tempeste il legno infranto” was the most dazzling.

—  Ossama el Naggar  •  Concerto Net

Toute la gamme des émotions y est: la révolte, l’affliction, les coups de colère, la résignation, la tendresse. Lisette Oropesa n’est pas qu’une jolie voix de soprano colorature au timbre cristallin. Son chant s’enflamme; la voix est surprenamment longue, couronnée d’aigus percutants, quoique aucunement criards, descendant parfois dans le grave sans effet de rupture dans les registres. Un éclat radieux en émane.

—  Julian Sykes  •  Le Temps

The ultimate star of the show, though, is Oropesa, an American soprano who is making her Lyric debut. An innate physical comedian with a comfortable, compelling stage presence, she is a complete natural as Marie. Oropesa has a supple, agile soprano voice, with a winningly honest and direct style. Seemingly unfazed by the vocal or physical demands of this role, this indefatigable singer handles its legendary coloratura with eye-opening ease and aplomb. Expect to see Oropesa back as soon as Lyric can re-sign her.

—  Kyle MacMillan  •  Chicago Sun Times

Bei Lisette Oropesa, Wiens gefeierter neuer Traviata, besitzt die Kantilene zwar auch einen dramatischen Unterton, ist aber noch nobler, geschmeidiger eingebunden in den Gesamtverlauf der wehmütigen Arie, die sie in makellos geflutetem Pianissimo abschließt.Man muss ein gehöriges Stück zurückblättern in den Annalen der Staatsoper, bis man auf eine Traviata von ähnlicher Souveränität stößt. Gewöhnlich teilen sich die Sopranistinnen bei dieser Partie ja in zwei Felder: Die einen können die Brillanz für den ersten Akt aufbringen, die anderen besitzen eher die Lyrismen und die jugendlich-dramatische Spannkraft für den Rest. Oropesa, hierzulande bereits als Konstanze, Gilda und Lucia bestens eingeführt, beeindruckt dagegen in allen drei Sparten, weiß aber alle technischen Fähigkeiten in Ausdruck zu verwandeln. Und das mit einem Timbre, in dem immer wieder Ähnlichkeiten mit Angela Gheorghiu und Ileana Cotrubas aufblitzen.

—  Walter Weidringer  •  Die Presse

On the opening day of La Traviata at the Roman Opera House, Lisette Oropesa, who played the heroine, showed the Japanese audience that she is the goddess of opera and the ultimate Violetta. She has a pretty appearance and looks great in Valentino's costumes, and even in the long aria of the first act, she did not lose her composure, and she did not hesitate to use her ultra-high notes to resonate bravely. Her emotional expression is rich, but the reason it never becomes tedious is probably because there is a mysterious mystique in her voice. There are singers who play this role in a verismo style and end up with a dull voice, but Oropesa's emotional expression is musical and elegant, and the high level that she aims for in her opera. No matter how much you listen to her, she has a voice that makes you want to hear more, and some of her sounds reminded me of golden-era Maria Callas recordings (even though her physique was completely different!) ). There is a faint classical elegance to it, and above all, the tragic nature of the story is conveyed in a very true manner.

—  Hisae Odajima  •  NBS

Para entonces y ya desde el bolero “¡Ay pobre Curro mío!” de Gounod con el que se abrió el recital, Oropesa se había metido en el bolsillo al respetable gracias a la capacidad comunicativa de su voz y de su manera de frasear. La voz es de un timbre seductor, con matices levemente oscuros en origen que adquieren brillo mediante una técnica de colocación y de proyección intachables, de manera que cuando sale, la voz tiene un temblor de emoción y una gama de colores que la hacen inconfundible. Con el sonido perfectamente cubierto en toda la gama, las transiciones entre registros prácticamente no existen, el sonido fluye con una naturalidad desarmante sin saltos ni cambios, plenamente audible en todo el espectro dinámico. Con tales herramientas técnicas a su servicio, Oropesa puede abordar con seguridad el terreno expresivo del fraseo que la ha encumbrado al podio mundial de la ópera.

—  Andrés Moreno Mengíbar  •  Scherzo Magazine

La seconda recita della Traviata areniana ha presentato un ottimo cast capitanato dal soprano americano Lisette Oropesa che aveva già fatto il suo debutto trionfale nell’opera verdiana riscuotendo un successo folgorante: non c’era alcun dubbio che lo avrebbe confermato. Sarebbe banale se non noioso descrivere le sue doti di cantante e attrice; Oropesa è nata per interpretare il mitico ruolo e “condannata” a portare il pubblico ad un felice delirio: e così è stato ieri sera. Il fisico perfetto per Violetta, la naturalezza disarmante d’attrice, la voce dal vibrato caratteristico ma ben timbrata e dotata di una lucentezza particolare, la tecnica impeccabile hanno riscosso un grande successo; numerose chiamate a scena aperta e espressioni infinite d’ammirazione per lo stupefacente soprano statunitense.

—  Irina Sorokina  •  L'ape musicale

Lisette Oropesa appare più a suo agio rispetto alla recente produzione scaligera in versione italiana. Chailly le chiedeva un’intensità drammatica che forse non è la sua tazza di tè; e il soprano rispondeva da grande artista mettendo a disposizione tutte le sue risorse di tecnica e temperamento. Però in altre occasioni avevo sentito la voce più libera e il canto più alato. Con Daniele Rustioni Lisette Oropesa torna ad essere la vocalista che ricordavo senza nulla perdere quanto a intensità espressiva. Si potrebbe pensare che Lucie la favorisca rispetto alla consorella, ma non è così avendola ascoltata anche in altre produzioni della versione italiana. Certo in “Que n’avons-nous des ailes” ha modo di sfoggiare tutta la grazia, l’eleganza che le sono proprie, con una vocalizzazione nitida, trilli perfetti; per non parlare delle messe di voce, del legato, dei picchettati, degli acuti e sopracuti in pianissimo o sul forte; insomma tutto l’armamentario della grande virtuosa è ben presente. L’aria e la cabaletta della pazzia sono nella tonalità originale, quindi un tono sopra rispetto alle esecuzioni correnti, connotazione che restituisce al personaggio un'ulteriore siderale lontananza, perso in una dimensione già ultraterrena. Niente sopracuti conclusivi e cadenza alla fine della prima parte molto elaborata e d’effetto. Ma se la vocalista entusiasma l’interprete non è da meno e dà vita a una Lucie fragile ma non esangue, liricissima, dolce, però capace di momenti di rivolta, unica donna in questa versione a fronte di un universo maschile dominatore e soverchiante. Insomma una prova maiuscola a cui il pubblico risponde con vere e proprie ovazioni.

—  Silvano Capecchi  •  Opera Click

The biggest star of the production is the soprano Lisette Oropesa , whose interpretation of the young Julia is not only amazing vocal art, but also fresh stage work, which depicts a young person in love first brightly, then in darker tones when things in love start to go seriously wrong.

—  Samuli Tiikkaja HS  •  Helsingin Sanomat

This deep dive to songs influenced by Spain fits very well to the image of Lisette Oropesa’s artistry. Spanish is her native language and French is her preferred singing language. The quickly changing, dramatic, moods of the music also fit to Oropesa’s quickly reacting personality and expression. Her voice transforms from dark, colorful low register to very high notes. A lot can happen during one long voice. Oropesa plays with the shades of the music, she stretches time and highlights the text so that it touches your soul. Dark emotions, pure joy and playfulness, heart-wrenching pain, and longing – Oropesa’s singing gave room for all of the emotions and they came across easily, naturally and masterfully. Everything seems to be easy and natural for this soprano.

—  Riitta-Leena Lempinen-Vesa  •  Itä-Savo

Oropesa’s “Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit.” ... she sang with a touch of rubato, her lines opening up and gliding above the orchestra. There was a feeling of joy in her singing.

—  George Grella  •  New York Classical Review

la apoteósica - no sabría definirla de otra manera - Fiorilla de Lisette Oropesa, quien hizo y deshizo en lo vocal. No brilló tanto en la página de salida Non si dà follia maggiore, quiza a merced de la edición crítica por encima de tradiciones interpretativas... pero, su voz se desplegó en frescura, luminosidad y con ese carácter efervescente del personaje en el dúo con su marido Per piacere alla signora, así como en el terceto - que deriva en dúo - del segundo acto, Scusate... Trovarvi sola... Credete allefemmine. Y, por su puesto, en su aria final, donde volvió a poner en juego variaciones medidas, sutiles, agudo descollante, no tanto el de cierre, con un timbre centelleante, de bello vibrato y derrochando comedia, salpicada del justo patetismo para intentar entender el por qué de su arrepentimiento.

—  Gonzalo Lahoz  •  Platea Magazine

Verosimilmente, con protagonisti di rara competenza stilistica, civiltà e tecnica di canto, e ben meditata espressività come Lisette Oropesa, una Lucia interiorizzata anche nel quadro clou della pazzia

—  Angelo Foletto  •  Republica

Le public, enfin, a fait un triomphe mémorable aux artistes incarnant les deux rôles principaux : Lisette Oropesa, voix tout à la fois agile et corsée (très éloignée des sopranos légérissimes que l’on entend habituellement dans le rôle) impressionne par son impeccable maîtrise technique mais surtout l’émotion qui émane de son chant, culminant dans une scène de folie justement acclamée.

—  Stéphane Lelièvre  •  Premiere Loge Opera

Lisette Oropesa bescherte etwas fülligere Belcanto-Brillanz

—  Florian Oberhummer  •  Salzburger Nachrichten

Lisette Oropesa überraschend viele Wesenszüge von Verdis späteren Frauenrollen: Sie bindet in den Cavatinen und Cabalettas die Spitzentöne zwar makellos pianissimo in die Linie ein. Doch ihr Legato ist unter der zart lebendigen Oberfläche sehnig gestützt, die Melodien hält sie entschlossen fest und spannt sie in der Staatsoper zu enorm tragfähigen Bögen auf. Und Lisette Oropesas düstere Tiefe lässt an die Dramatik der Lady Macbeth denken, die wenige Monate vor den "Masnadieri" das Licht der Welt erblickt hatte.

—  Michael Bastian Weiß  •  Abendzeitung München

And her vocalism was ravishing. Strong emotional currents run thru everything Lisette sings; she can find just the right colour for every note and word, and it all seems perfectly spontaneous. A magical, palpable  hush settled over the House during Lisette's "Caro nome": an exquisite portrait of a young girl on the brink, the innocence of the words underscored by a subtle sense of longing. In the ensuing scenes, phrase after phrase of captivating tone and nuance - from her defiance in the vendetta duet to the heart-wrenching poignancy of her farewell to her father - showed again what a thoughtful and unique artist this soprano is. 

—  Oberon  •  Oberon's Grove

When an opera has a plot as convoluted and comprehensively daft as Handel’s Alcina, one’s enjoyment depends principally on one thing: how well can the singers sell me their text? Can they take me out of the general state of battiness and transport me to a place where I truly believe the love, the rage or the fear? In the case of Lisette Oropesa, the answer is a resounding “yes”: if I were an Eskimo and Oropesa was selling fridges, I’d be at the front of the queue! Leaving aside Oropesa’s technical excellence, it’s the emotional investment that got me every time. Her opening aria “Di', cor mio, quanto t'amai” lifted me far away to a happy land of romance. “Ombre pallide”, the Act 2 closer, had me melting with sympathy – despite this being an evil sorceress complaining to the dark spirits about the loss of her powers. Oropesa sets the bar so high that you have to feel a level of sympathy for anyone sharing a stage with her

—  David Karlin  •  Bachtrack

Applaudita più di tutti è Lisette Oropesa, al debutto nel ruolo di Elvira: 'agilità sfoderata nei passaggi di bravura è ragguardevole, lo scintillio della voce non sacrifica l'eleganza della frase; è su que. sto terreno esclusivo che il soprano americano costruisce la performance, lasciando a cimenti futuri la possibilità di caratterizzare a fondo un personaggio che pure, nei tre atti, cambia pelle più volte.

—  Stefano Valanzuolo  •  Il Mattino Napoli

Lisette Oropesa rettete hier die Komposition selbst. In der berühmten "Wahnsinnsarie" im dritten Akt hat Donizetti der Sopranistin nämlich meist nur eine Flöte (in seltenen Fällen wie hier bei den Festspielen eine Glasorgel) als Spielpartnerin an die Seite geschrieben. So konnte Oropesa ihre Flexibilität, ihre glasklaren Passagen und ihre kraftvolle Schönheit weitgehend unbeschwert ausstellen. Sie machte klar, warum die Lucia aktuell zur ihren Paraderollen gehört. Ihre privaten Erfahrungen als Marathonläuferin brachten ihr vermutlich das Durchhaltevermögen für die großen Ensemblepassagen, in denen ihr dann teilweise die Kraft auszugehen drohte.

—  News.at  •  News.AT

Spicca tra le voci soliste Lisette Oropesa. Dotata del pieno controllo del suo strumento il Soprano dimostra eccellenti doti tecniche mai tendenti all’eccesso.

—  Matteo Pozzato  •  Le Salon Musicale

Chi rivela una crescita artistica e interpretativa formidabile è Lisette Oropesa nei panni della protagonista. Quando sentimmo per la prima volta il soprano in questo ruolo avevamo previsto un ulteriore sviluppo e ne abbiamo la prova: la sua Violetta ora è completa, dal virtuosismo del I atto al liricismo del II, fino al canto drammatico del III. L’interprete è anche cresciuta sotto il punto di vista attoriale, gestendo benissimo anche la maturazione scenica di questo iconico personaggio.

—  Francesco Lodola  •  Ieri Oggi Domaini Opera

Lisette Oropesa, born in New Orleans in 1983, is an absolutely wonderful singer, as you can see at the Munich Opera Festival. There she sings Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" in Günter Krämer's production, which is now almost 30 years old. One of the bizarre things about opera is that dying on stage is often the most enchanting moment, and the way Oropesa sings and plays Violetta's dying here is extraordinarily moving. Because she is extraordinarily precise, never does too much, never too little, gives her voice that crucial fragility that makes a truly authentic impression. Ah, that voice. In the first act she glistens and shines. She is light as a feather, but Oropesa has, firstly, a brilliant technique and, secondly, a wonderful little vibrato that carries her voice over everything, always letting it shine out, while always having a warm, incredibly likeable basic sound. Oropesa is here, at the festival in the first act, highly elegant, dainty, enchanting, charming center of the hustle and bustle that has become somewhat worn out over the years of the production.

—  Egbert Tholl  •  Süddeutsche Zeitung

Lisette Oropesa is Lucia, his sister. With a slender stature and southern appearance, she develops a noticeable stage presence from the very first moment and fascinates with her natural play. Her youthfully fresh soprano is absolutely confident in the high notes and skilled in coloratura, leaving nothing to be desired.

—  Jan Krobot  •  Online Merker

After her brilliant performance as Konstanze in Hans Neuenfels ' Abduction and her solo concerto, Lisette Oropesa's role debut as Lucia was eagerly awaited. A complete success. Like the Cuban-American at the beginning of “ …Ed ecco! ecco su quel margine…' startled by the ghostly appearance of the dead woman, already indicates how sensitive, filigree and highly endangered the young woman she portrays is. Her oath of love is highly credible, and the mad scene is touchingly dramatic. 20 gripping, varied minutes that are incredibly touching. Oropesa has been the most sought-after Lucia since her role debut in 2017 at the Royal Opera House London. The acting is unsurpassed and the singing is almost perfect. The coloraturas are supple and clear, her silvery-bright, modulation-capable soprano voice is paired with a secure technique and strong charisma. 

—  Manfred A. Schmid  •  Online Merker

Oropesa mostró la infabilidad de su técnica, su dominio del instrumento y la seguridad escénica con la que bordó una escena de la locura que se llevó la ovación de la noche, tres minutos de reloj!

—  Jordi Maddaleno  •  La Vanguardia

Habiendo debutado en 2007, todavía conserva completamente las características de soprano ligera, si bien goza de un apreciable volumen y proyección -la voz «corre» sin problemas- y es muy homogénea de arriba abajo, utilizando también adecuadamente el canto de pecho -con las limitaciones propias de su extensión natural-, pudiendo así abordar sin problemas los registros más «graves». También contribuyen determinantemente a su atractivo su capacidad de matización, la inteligente utilización de las medias voces -posee un centro bien resuelto-, y una muy buena dicción y administración del fiato, que le permiten frasear y moldear a conciencia su canto legato. Además creemos que su canto en idioma francés es muy correcto.

—  Oscar del Saz  •  Codalario

Oropesas Sopran ließ Gilda keine kühle Virtuosität angedeihen, sondern trug das Herz auf der Zunge. Ihre Stimme ließ in der weich gebetteten Mittellage eine leise Wehmut anklingen, die an längst vergangene Opernzeiten erinnerte. Die Sängerin spielte die Figur ohne Übertreibung, erfüllte sie mit herzwärmender Naivität und Jugendlichkeit

—  Dominik Troger  •  Online Merker

Den meisten Applaus erntete Lisette Oropesa für ihre alle Herausforderungen meisternde Konstanze

—  Marion Eigl  •  Wiener Zeitung

Oropesa gelingt es, mit ihrem schlanken, flexiblen Sopran die in den von ihr ausgewählten Liedern beschworenen Stimmungen und Bilder einfühlsam auszuloten. 

—  Manfred A. Schmid  •  Online Merker

El programa, amplio en ese abanico, fue además extraordinariamente generoso, tanto como la cercanía de la cantante. Oropesa no lo puede evitar. Es simpática y extrovertida, y necesita el contacto constante con el público. No importa si canta o no. Ella es pura comunicación permanente. Y generoso y grande también es su nivel interpretativo, ya que la soprano es dueña de un instrumento, y de unos conocimientos, propios de los mejores. Y por eso es un privilegio escucharla; porque cante lo que cante, lo hace con sabiduría, e imprimiendo un estilo que recuerda a épocas donde deslumbraron los grandes como De los Ángeles o Callas.

—  Jacobo Ríos-Capapé Carpi  •  Valencia Plaza

Lisette Oropesa, svettante ma non manierata, capace d’un canto deciso, che ha reso una Giulietta-donna matura e volitiva

—  Angelo Foletto  •  https://www.repubblica.it/

È stato il debutto di Lisette Oropesa a chiudere la lunga stagione di programmazione della Fondazione Ravello. Tre bis e tanti applausi per uno dei più importanti soprani di oggi, acclamata sui palcoscenici dei più grandi teatri del mondo. La Oropesa, accompagnata all’Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer dalla Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti, particolarmente ispirata, diretta da Fabrizio Maria Carminati ha dato sfoggia di tutto il suo talento interpretando sette gemme del suo repertorio: Fiorilla, Giulietta, Hélene, Isabelle, Musetta e Manon.

—  Gazzetta di Salerno  •  Gazzetta di Salerno

Quizás la estupenda sintonía y colaboración que existe entre estos dos teatros propició la cita, que quedará siempre en nuestro recuerdo como un acontecimiento extraordinario de belleza vocal, expresividad y entusiasmo melódico. Su voz antes ligera ahora ya con un toque lírico considerable, se ha curtido en los mejores escenarios del mundo con especial facilidad para la coloratura y afrontando papeles de enorme envergadura y dificultad. Pero aquí vino defendiendo un programa todo en español, a fuerza de canciones y romanzas de zarzuela de uno y otro lado del Atlántico, llevando sus orígenes cubanos y su pasión española al límite en un recital sin precedentes.

—  Juan José Roldán  •  El Correo

Y claro, como hemos dicho, llegó la traca final: Yo soy Cecilia Valdés. ¡Y tanto que ella ‘es’ la protagonista de esta zarzuela cubana! Lo disfrutó en el escenario del Teatro de La Zarzuela pero, sobre todo, nos lo hizo disfrutar a nosotros en el patio de butacas. Sensual, coqueta, divertida, canalla, tímida…, todo esto porque ella, efectivamente, ¡ella es Cecila Valdés! Luego, las generosas propinas, el apoteosis y el delirio de los fans.

—  Nacho Fresno  •  Shangay

Theodora – qui trouve dans le timbre lumineux aux aigus délicats de Lisette Oropesa l’image idéale de la vierge martyre

—  Loïc Chahine  •  Díapason Magazine

Theodora era Lisette Oropesa, voce con un vibrato stretto, sfrutta le caratteristiche del suo timbro posando a una Santa perennemente sul malinconico fisso, in estasi, dai pochi colori vocali, agìta sul volto la stilizzata recitazione. Nell’aria Fond flatt’ring world, gioca la carta del patetico, con suoni filati, in Angels, ever bright si fa astratta preghiera, mentre trova accenti accorati e “plaintive” nella più bella tra le arie della Theodora, quel With darkness deep che Handel addirittura riscrisse…Coro omogeneo e scattante, capace di smorzare e rendere percepibile la sublimazione della preghiera finale.

—  Brescia e Armisano  •  Corriere Dello Spettacolo

Lisette Oropesa, schwarze Locken, grau-silbriges Abendkleid, sang die Titelrolle. Sie hat mit ihrem Strahle-Sorpan als Konstanze in der Wiener Staatoper die Herzen des Publikums im Sturm erobert. Hier muss sie die „Tugendboldin“ (wie man Händels Heldin bezeichnet hat) interessant machen. Sie tut es so weit wie möglich mit Stimme, Technik und lebhaftem Minenspiel, dessen sich auch alle anderen Sänger bedienen: Wenn man das Ganze schon nicht spielen darf (das Programmheft kündigt allerdings eine szenische Aufführung mit dieser Besetzung irgendwann irgendwo an), dann muss man doch wenigstens zeigen, wie man fühlt und leidet. Leidet vor allem, denn Theodora wird verfolgt, soll zur Prostitution gezwungen werden, will das Opfer des Didymus, der sie retten möchte, nicht annehmen… kurz, selbst wenn man den englischen Text nicht mitliest, weiß man doch nach der Inhaltsangabe worum es geht. Tragisch.

—  Renate Wagner  •  Online Merker

Oropesa shows total command of her vocal instrument, thrilling with her expansive dynamic and expressive range. Dramatically, she is at her best in the heart-rending final act, as Violetta in the final stages of consumption, clinging to the hope of a final meeting with her beloved Alfredo (Liparit Avetisyan).

—  Inge Kjemtrup  •  The Stage

Il grande successo della serata è merito senza dubbio dei due protagonisti: il Maestro Francesco Izzo al pianoforte e Lisette Oropesa, stella ormai affermatasi nel panorama lirico mondiale.Il soprano, originario della Louisiana, in un bellissimo ed elegante abito da sera nero, che ne valorizza la figura longilinea, si posiziona al proscenio e intona i primi versi dei brani di apertura del concerto (arie di Saverio Mercadante); il pubblico rimane da subito affascinato dalla purezza e dalla morbidezza di una voce immacolata, luminosa e che si espande facilmente in sala.

—  Marco Faverzani  •  Opera Libera

Both Álvarez and Oropesa are great actors. Oropesa also happens to be the finest lyric coloratura in the world today. Her soprano is quite dark lower down – hers is no tweetie-pie Gilda – and “Caro nome” revealed rock solid technique including an excellent trill. She narrowed her voice daringly fine at the top, but just within the bounds of control.

—  Mark Pullinger  •  Bachtrack

È comunque l’altra Giulietta, alla quale Bellini fa cantare quell’”O quante volte o quante” che insieme al recitativo da cui è preceduta è sistematicamente straziata da quasi tutte le partecipanti a qualsiasi concorso lirico e svilita a nenia melensa, alla quale il soprano statunitense rende tutta la sua profondità lavorando di cesello su ogni singola parola e su ciascuna nota. La Oropesa sale poi definitivamente in cattedra dando voce ad un’Amalia – solitamente vittima di un insopportabile overacting vocale – animata da una meravigliosa fragilità piena di forza.

—  Alessandro Cammarano  •  Le Salon Musicale

La complessita della protagonista viene esaltata dal canto recitato di Lisette Oropesa Lisette Oropesa, statunitense di origini cubane, é una Violetta da manuale: recita con il canto. Le sfaccettature di un personaggio complesso prendono vita momento per momento.

—  Dino Villatico  •  Il Manifesto

Digámoslo cuanto antes: el recital ha sido un éxito sin paliativos. Uno, que no es amigo de este formato, no recuerda en los últimos años una cantante con la calidad vocal de Oropesa en recital alguno. La voz es de bello color, uniformidad en todos los registros –aunque algo matizado en la zona más grave, lo que parece natural- un fraseo de calidad y una implicación con el texto digna de aplauso. Además, técnicamente Oropesa nos ofreció detalles de alta calidad, de esos que están destinados para disfrutar casi en la intimidad. Por poner solo dos ejemplos, el trino final de la segunda pieza de Mercadante, La primavera, está alcance de pocas; y en la segunda parte, en la operística, toda la escena final de La sonnambula de Bellini fue un ejemplo de buen decir, de implicación con el personaje y de generosidad con el público pues la soprano incluyó el recitativo, muy sentido, el aria y la cabaletta final.

—  Enrique Bert  •  Platea Magazine

Lugar y fecha: Gran Teatre del Liceu (15/XII/2020) Seductora y carismática, así fue la Violetta Valéry de la estadounidense Lisette Oropesa, éxito personal y ovación en el Liceu. Recuperadas las funciones de La Traviata tras ampliar el tope de 500 espectadores a 1.000, faltaba disfrutar de la tercera de las cuatro Violetta en discordia, vistas ya Kristina Mkhitaryan y Pretty Yende, y a falta de Ermonela Jaho en la última función. Lisette, la más ligera, sorprendió, pues más allá de un primer acto brillante, donde desplegó su instrumento a piacere, Mi bemol al nal del “Sempre libera!” , agudos fáciles, luminosos y timbrados, creció con el desarrollo de la partitura. En su dúo con Germont padre coloreó, buscó expresión y matices, siempre sul ato, con un fraseo detallado, articulando cada frase con una escuela belcantista de primera. En su aria nal “Addio del passato” , la más aplaudida, controló el vibrato, aportó drama y acabó con un pianissimo volátil inolvidable. Brava la Oropesa!

—  Jordi Maddaleno  •  La Vanguardia

Con fines benéficos e intención de redimirse, claro. La más brillante, de largo fue la soprano cubano-estadounidense Lisette Oropesa, que interpretó el aria «Regnava nel silenzio» de «Lucia di Lammermoor». La ópera de Donizetti, a la que habían consagrado en este 2020 la «prima» de La Scala antes de que llegara la pandemia, se vio relegada a una actuación más.

—  Ismael Monzón  •  La Razón

Die beste Leistung bot ohne Zweifel Lisette Oropesa als Konstanze. Sie sang mit großer Dynamik, gutem Ausdruck und schön geführter Stimme.

—  Heinrich Schramm-Schiessl  •  Online Merker

Vocally, these two delivered outstanding contributions. Oropesa’s technique is superb. She is the reigning bel canto queen in my book and the finale from La sonnambula was perfectly pitched, crowned by a sparkling “Ah! non giunge”.

—  Mark Pullinger  •  Bachtrack

Oropesa (also debut in Pesaro two years ago, alongside Sekgapane nell'Adina), opened the journey on the notes of "Beautiful flattering ray" (Semiramide, act I), the triumph of belcanto as the elegance of the line, in a coloratura of supreme abstraction and captivating precision; and he continued it on the ironic and very concrete brilliance of Rosina's Cavatina (Barbiere di Siviglia, act I), this time bending agility to the needs of an expressiveness entirely of comedy. 

—  Le Salon Musicale  •  Le Salon Musicale

Now, in the final stretch, Lisette Oropesa arrives. You have to go see it, and especially to listen to it. Even if it is only for the few seconds in which her Amami Alfredo transports us to the great ones that we all have engraved in our brain, which is the best hard drive that can exist. It is true that we are in need of beautiful things. And it is no less true that the Oropesa gives us the ear. When we still remember his Lucia from two years ago (and his Gilda del Rigoletto from 2015), now comes his Violetta, which enshrines her in the Real: from chaste diva, chaste goddess, to absolute diva. But with the closeness that the divas of the 21st century require. Her elegance on stage, in addition, adds many points. El Real, we insist, is at fifty percent capacity for health reasons. Those who were on July 18 filled all the gaps with applause; a welcome that makes history. The shadow of the encore flew over the room after his sublime Addio del passato of the final act. Just as the illusion that he would come out to be applauded behind the curtain that closed the first one also flew overhead. As before, as could be done when the voice prevailed.

—  Nacho Fresno  •  Shangay

Mais il faut dire que le moment le plus admirable nous est venu de Lisette Oropesa qui, depuis son domicile de Baton-Rouge aux Etats-Unis, a choisi d’interpréter a capella une chanson du saule. Pas du tout celle de Verdi ni celle de Rossini, mais celle de la Ballad of Baby Doe de Douglas Moore. Un moment d’enchantement, aidé par l’une des meilleures captations de la soirée, pré-enregistrée.

—  Cédric Manuel  •  Forum Opera

The Met technical folks went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to catch Lisette Oropesa who, accompanied by Michael Borowitz, sang a perfectly executed "En vain espère" from Meyerbeer's Le Prophète.Her rendition contained some of the best singing I've heard in years.

—  Maria Nockin  •  Broadway World

There’s a melancholy feeling that very occasionally accompanies the greatest performances. Tangled up in the thrill of witnessing a historic interpretation of an iconic work comes the sad realization that you may never encounter its equal. The Metropolitan Opera has seen a number of superb sopranos appear as Violetta Valéry in the past decade: Diana Damrau, Natalie Dessay, Sonya Yoncheva, and Angelina Gheorghiu are just a handful of the most recent leading artists to make a mark in La Traviata’s touchstone role. The sensational performance that Lisette Oropesa gave on Wednesday night in her role debut at the Met deserves to be counted in the very first rank. Oropesa brings a voice ideally suited to the role: direct and lively, bright yet round, so focused you can almost see it as it pierces through the air of the auditorium and slams into the back wall. Yet even with its power and laser clarity, her soprano never feels aggressive, as she wields her instrument with musical sensitivity and classic elegance.

—  Eric C. Simpson  •  New York Classical Review

 Appréciée du public parisien depuis sa Marguerite de Valois dans Les Huguenots à l’automne 2018, Lisette Oropesa compose une Rosine en tout point captivante. La jeune soprano ne manque ni de piquant ni de charme. La voix est brillante, l’aigu aisé, les vocalises sont parfaitement exécutées et la ligne de chant ornementée avec subtilité. Actrice accomplie, elle évolue comme un poisson dans l’eau dans l’univers imaginé par Michieletto. 

—  Christian Peter  •  Forum Opera

One of the highlights of the 2019-2020 edition of the Gstaad New Year Music Festival was the recital of the American soprano Lisette Oropesa. In rehearsal in Paris for Le Barbier de Seville, the singer did not hesitate to make a quick return trip to Gstaad, despite the strikes in France and their batch of trains canceled, to offer a memorable evening. The program was particularly varied and eclectic, alternating opera arias and lieder, in four different languages. Unmistakable charisma, clear and luminous voice, ample and majestic, healthy and homogeneous over the whole range, with brilliant treble and perfectly assured vocalizations, Lisette Oropesa has everything to make a good career, and besides the biggest scenes are l 'tear. In Gstaad, she was especially able to highlight her musicality, her impeccable diction, whatever the language sung, and its sense of expressiveness, playing on each word, each sentence, each inflection of the score, whether in melancholy and sad compositions or in flamboyant and brilliant pages. She was accompanied on the piano with finesse and tact by Natalia Morozova, a follower of Gstaad since she has been performing there for ten years.

—  Claudio Poloni  •  Concerto Net

He was well-matched by his Ophélie, Lisette Oropesa, who melded dramatic sensitivity with a clean, pearly soprano. The technically demanding mad scene, the conclusion to the opera’s broad-strokes depiction of Ophélie’s fragility, was delivered with a delicate effortlessness.

—  Harry Rose  •  Washington Post

This year’s award winner was Lisette Oropesa, who just one day earlier was essaying “Manon” Live in HD at the Metropolitan Opera. Oropesa’s career has been on the rise for quite some time with the soprano conquering Europe in recent years and now doing much the same on this side of the Atlantic. Oropesa opened the night offering an aria from Rossini’s “Tancredi.” The aria “Come dolce all’alma mia” features difficult coloratura runs and a chance to show off a soprano’s virtuosic powers and high notes. It is light and playful but it ultimately doesn’t create the impact that other Rossini arias do, particularly for an opening number of a gala. Oropesa sang the aria with delicacy and a fluid coloratura line that showed her mastery of the vocal style. But it wasn’t really the best display of Oropesa’s powers nor what she could ultimately do with her lyrical voice. She left that for the middle of the program in her “Qui la Voce…Vien diletto” from “I Purtiani.” Here Oropesa started the opening phrase with a piano sound that continuously grew in form and shape with each repetition of “Rendetemi la speme.” The voice grew in size and in expression, showing Elvira’s increasingly agitated state. As the phrase rose to a high note so did Oropesa’s sound, and she eventually descrescendoed to a mere piano that created a haunting effect. In the cabaletta, the soprano sang with precision and exciting tempi. One particularly exciting moment was the phrases “Vien, o caro, all’amore” as she drove the tempo forward during the roulades, creating an unpredictability and excitement that one rarely hears in this aria. During the repetition, Oropesa opted for the “less is more” philosophy with her ornaments. There were sparkling high notes and interpolations that resounded and showed off the soprano’s glittering top register. But ultimately Oropesa was holding off for the final E flat that was effective and resounded throughout the hall. One thing to take note was that Oropesa also chose to sing through the whole Cabaletta instead of doing the traditional cuts in galas; this really allowed the soprano a chance to show different shades of colors. Her final showcase was in the sextet of “Lucia di Lammermoor.” Here the ensemble decided to perform from the beginning of the second act scene allowing the performers to showcase their acting abilities. Oropesa got to bring her chemistry with baritone Artur Rucinski, creating a tense moment as she was forced to sign a marriage contract; they were so immersed in the agitation of the moment that the pen flew out of his hands at one point. They showcased raw emotions in their actions and in the famed sextet, it was all about the passionate music. Rucinski and Oropesa’s powerful voices particularly stood out in the ensemble and her final C sharp was impeccable and a great way to cap off the evening.

—  David Salazar  •  Opera Wire

Lisette Oropesa gave a performance as Manon that confirmed she is fully ready for leading roles at the Met. Her voice has grown in size and color since the days when she primarily appeared in soubrette parts: she has developed into a formidable lyric soprano, her voice filling out into a luscious instrument without losing any of its flexibility or tartness.  Moreover, Oropesa proved to be the rare soprano who can be entirely convincing in both sides of a complex role. In the first two acts she approached the role with a lovely, bright innocence, charming with a rendition of “Je suis encore tout étourdie” that combined spacious phrasing and breathless excitement, then channeling quiet but intense sadness in “Adieu, notre petite table.”

—  Eric C. Simpson  •  New York Classical Review

O melhor da noite ainda estava por vir, e a sequência que encerrou o programa oficial, com a ária Qui la voce e a cabaletta Vien diletto, do segundo ato da ópera I Puritani, de Bellini, recebeu de Oropesa uma interpretação arrebatadora: se a ária foi extremamente musical, a cabaletta foi de arrepiar, com uma demonstração exuberante de agilidade e domínio técnico. Era evidente que estávamos todos diante de uma grande cantora.

—  Leonardo Marques  •  Movimento

Lisette Oropesa était Violetta, un rôle qu’elle chanta il y a quelques années et qu’elle a interprété l’espace d’un soir à Athènes quelques jours avant, histoire de se le remettre en voix. Ce qui étonne toujours chez Oropesa et qui ravit, c’est d’abord son phrasé italien quasi parfait, son sens de la couleur, l’impeccable contrôle de la voix et la tenue du souffle. On lui a reproché quelquefois une sorte de supériorité de la technique sur l’émotion ; on a au contraire ici l’union d’une technique impeccable et le sens donné à chaque mot, le poids de l’expression (quel deuxième acte ! quelle intensité dans amami Alfredo !) et l’intériorité, un mot étrange dans une représentation devant 15000 personnes, où elle est une petite tache blanche sur l’immensité de la scène. Lisette Oropesa, aux origines cubaines, a une évidente familiarité avec un phrasé latin, et une vraie sensibilité, outre une technique de fer acquise dans la formation américaine. C’est d’emblée une Violetta avec laquelle il va falloir compter, car m’est avis qu’elle va les multiplier. Son Addio del passato est exemplaire, et même sa lecture de la lettre, si claire. Et en plus elle a les notes qu’il faut, dans les agilités (ses gioir du premier acte) comme dans les moments plus lyriques du deuxième (dite alla giovine bouleversant et sans doute aussi décuplé par l’émotion distillée par son partenaire Domingo).

—  Guy Cherqui  •  Wanderer

Born to the romantic bell-cadet, the 36-year-old lyricist demonstrated her great class: her medium-sized, well-placed, luminous voice - obviously more suited to her more moving last two acts than to her crafty requirements - her huge Roman amphitheater, her aesthetic and the good taste of her song (trillions, ornamentations) constantly reminded the early Verdi's Bell-Candid debts, the stage presence was ethereal, emotional and emotional j with correct passion doses. Athens was lucky enough to enjoy - and rightly so! - a singer who has all the backgrounds (youth, beauty, voice, stage displacement) to shine worldwide in the role of tragic partner!

—  Eutychios D. Choriatakis  •  Athinorama

Lisette Oropesa s’attaque au rôle à l’origine conçu pour Jenny Lind (dont le bicentenaire sera sans doute commémoré l’année prochaine en Suède). Ce seul personnage féminin se révèle le plus attentionné de tous. L’Amalia d’Oropesa n’a pas que le cœur sur la main, mais également sa respiration et ses palpitations, qui deviennent pratiquement physiques d’une manière qui évoque le souffle audible d’une Violetta ou d’une Gilda. Oropesa sait profiter au maximum de l’écriture vocale : plus ses coloratures et ses sauts impeccables entre les registres montent vers les niveaux stratosphériques, plus son timbre chaleureux et teinté de mélancolie gagne en beauté et en sûreté. Lorsqu'elle apprend que Carlo est en vie, elle effectue un changement soudain d'intention, touchant à la folie, qui offre un instant irrésistible. Les spectateurs ravis s’unissent pour la récompenser, elle, ses collègues et tout l’orchestre (qui vient sur le plateau), d'une ovation debout.

—  Andreas Wahlberg  •  Olyrix

Chi ha invece messo tutti d’accordo è stata la prestazione di Lisette Oropesa, una straordinaria Amalia, salutata da scroscianti applausi già alla fine della cabaletta “Carlo vive?...O caro accento” e da un’ovazione finale. Soprano dal timbro delicato, dall’emissione controllata, tutta sul fiato, che le consente di legare i registri con una musicalità rara. Colorature leggere, con picchiettati, scale, volatine e trilli di alta scuola. Ed interprete che mette in luce i lati più nascosti di una fanciulla innamorata e soggetta alla rabbiosa e ottusa mascolinità dei Moor. La cavatina “Lo sguardo avea degli angeli” è intrisa di tenerezza, di rimpianti per la felicità perduta, di estasi soave e rarefatta. L’innocenza trasfusa in un canto trasfigurato e consolatorio la vede protagonista nel duettino e nel quartetto del finale primo. Commovente e patetica, morbida ed espressiva nell’aria “Tu del mio Carlo” ma altrettanto brava nel mostrare entusiasmo e brio nella difficile cabaletta citata sopra, dove un prolungato trillo sul Sol acuto è stato poi suggellato da una scalata al Do di pregnante efficacia. Ma efficace è stata anche in tutti i concertati, in cui è svettata per penetranza e luminosità. Nel duetto con Francesco ha sottolineato la ripugnanza, il disprezzo e il furore verso il demoniaco fratello di Carlo, mentre con l’innamorato si è lasciata andare ad un’entusiastica esplosione di gioia, ma anche ad una delicatissima, brillante e saltellante stretta conclusiva. L’attrice è stata poi in grado di tener testa agli aggressivi masnadieri, nonché stoica nel consegnare la sciabola a Carlo perché l’uccidesse nel grandioso finale d’opera.

—  Ugo Malasoma  •  Opera Click

There are some voices in opera that are so sublimely expressive that they stand out like a Michelangelo fresco in a black and white film. Pittsburgh Opera’s season finale production of Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” features such a voice. Soprano Lisette Oropesa, no stranger to the Benedum Center stage, was recently granted the prestigious Richard Tucker Award, granted annually to an American singer on the precipice of a dazzling career. Her performance on Saturday showcased impeccable clarity of tone and articulation coupled with exquisite lyricism. Ms. Oropesa, for her part, was enchanting, moving swiftly from coquettish to incendiary as the plot to humble Pasquale coalesces. With her rising prestige confirmed by the Richard Tucker Award (other winners include Renee Fleming and Joyce DiDonato), Ms. Oropesa’s career is likely poised to blossom in the coming seasons.

—  Jeremy Reynolds  •  Pittsburgh Post Gazette

De ontegensprekelijke ster van de avond was de Isabelle van Lisette Oropesa. Ik heb haar al een paar keer in cinemavoorstellingen gehoord, meest recent als Marguerite vanuit Parijs, maar dit was mijn eerste live ervaring. De cinema-versie van Oropesa is maar een schaduw van hoe ze in het echt klinkt. Meteen met haar openingsaria "En vain j'espère" zit haar stem juist. Ze zingt met een pakkende frasering, haar hoge noten klinken fantastisch met daarenboven mogelijkheid tot dynamiek van piano tot forte, coloraturen hebben diepgang en met dat alles kan ze nog eens ontroeren ook. Haar paradestuk komt in het vierde bedrijf met de cavatina "Robert, toi que j'aime". Dat zou een saaie aria kunnen worden met een paar honderd herhalingen van "grâce pour toi", maar bij Oropesa blijf je luisteren naar alle smekende nuances die ze weet op te roepen, maar telkens met een ondertoon van het hartzeer dat ze voelt. Het einde van de aria geeft ze een voorwaartse stuwing mee die onvermijdelijk leidt tot een minutenlange ovatie.

—  Inquisitor  •  Il Grand' Inquisitor

Un lujo, tanto como el que ofreció el impresionante y auspicio debut de Lisette Oropesa en el papel titular, quien impuso una voz de gran belleza y esmalte, dominio estilístico y sentido teatral, fascinando con las arias a su cargo y poderosa en el ornamento.

—  Pablo Meléndez-Haddad  •  El Periódico

A questo punto, se Rigoletto smette di essere una palestra dove misurare atletismi e «canne» vocali, i cantanti devono essere valutati per quanto e come contribuiscano a un progetto interpretativo così rivoluzionario. In questo senso è perfetta la Gilda di Lisette Oropesa, che non solo canta benissimo sempre, ma riesce a trasformare «Caro nome» da grande aria della diva in un bellissimo, toccante soliloquio di una ragazzina innamorata.

—  Alberto Mattioli  •  La Stampa

Le personnage d’Adina, riche et belle fermière, campé par Lisette Oropesa est pétillant à souhait. La soprano virevolte comme une elfe sur le plateau pleine de charme, de malice et fait des étincelles vocales dans le registre du belcanto.

—  Jean-Christophe Mary  •  Putsch Media

Diese werden angeführt durch Lisette Oropesa (statt der ursprünglich angesagten Diana Damrau) als exzellente Marguerite de Valois. Ihre berüchtigt schwierige Arie „O beau pays de la Touraine“, mit wunderbaren aber sehr sehr langen Koloraturen, war der Höhepunkt des Abends.

—  Waldemar Kamer  •  Beckmesser

Gilda è il soprano statunitense Lisetta Oropesa, reduce dal recente successo in Adina al Rossini Opera Festival, che stupisce per plasticità di modulazione e pulizia del fraseggio.

—  Matteo Pozzato  •  Le Salon Musicale

Il cast vocale si presta compatto a una visione un po' stralunata, ad affetti di carta che si susseguono disinvolti, a partire dall'Adina fra lo svampito e l'infantile di Lisette Oropesa, ancora di limitate esperienze operistiche in Italia e già in possesso di un'ammirevole familiarità con la nostra lingua. Voce leggera, caratterizzata da un sottile vibrato, canta con eleganza e intenzione sempre coerente alla scena.

—  Roberta Pedrotti  •  L'ape musicale

Sottile con il fisico da cui proviene sembra la voce di Lisette Oropesa, ma questo con questo filo l'artista sa tessere trine preziose, ricami e trasparenze, giocare in un'ampia gamma dinamica; scala caparbia le vette del pentagramma, e quando sembra che il suono possa essere un po' dritto e rischiare d'indurirsi, stupisce modulandolo con decisione. Così, ancora una volta non è un qualche arcano incanto timbrico o coloristico a colpire nell'astrazione del vocalizzo Le rossignol et la rose di Saint-Saëns, bensì, si direbbe, il suo contrario, un suono quasi prosciugato all'essenza e di lì condotto nelle volute della coloratura estetizzante del secondo Ottocento. Non trascendentale, affabile, piuttosto, fine, sciolta, duttile e sicura. Quando, poi, in chiusura di programma, torna al belcanto italiano con un omaggio a Rossini, la leggerezza fanciullesca si riarrotonda per offrire una piacevole, sognante Amenaide (“Come dolce all'alma mia”) e una Fiorilla (“Squallida veste e bruna”) debitamente ardita nei virtuosismi. Fra applausi calorosissimi, Juliette tornerà a dimostrare l'affinità del soprano con il repertorio francese e Violetta la sicurezza della preparazione anche in un cimento dei più insidiosi.

—  Roberta Pedrotti  •  L'ape musicale

Lisette Oropesa y Javier Camarena encarnan a una pareja protagonista absolutamente creíble en lo físico y extraordinariamente bien avenida en lo musical. Ella, ovacionada en pie al final por buena parte del público, es una cantante completísima y, sobre todo, nada tramposa: su escena de la locura fue, por comparación con lo que suele verse y oírse, un dechado de contención. Y, sin imitar a ninguna de las grandes Lucías históricas (la de Maria Callas la primera, por supuesto), consigue dibujar la suya con perfiles muy personales, una actuación escénica muy contenida y una caracterización vocal completísima en cada una de sus intervenciones.

—  Luis Gago  •  El Pais

Lisette Oropesa was a truly magnificent Gilda. She portrayed her character's girlishness, innocence, and obsessive love. Her voice was clear and bell-like, especially above the staff. Her "Caro Nome" ("Dear name") was most impressive with its radiant, silvery tones and tasteful decoration. Amazingly, she finished the main part of her aria, climbed a long flight of stairs, and immediately began the trill that ends the scene. Twentieth century operagoers told tales of the legendary Erna Berger and her long trills. Twenty-first century patrons may have their own legend-in-the-making with Oropesa. She definitely is a singer to watch.

—  Maria Nockin  •  Broadway World

Dressed in white with a billowing cape as the deceased Eurydice, Lisette Oropesa looked and moved like one of the dancers. Her sounds were liquid silver and she seemed to be an amazingly graceful creature from another world. She sang through a veil at times, but it never marred the focus of her sound. My only thought was that her part was too short.

—  Maria Nockin  •  Broadway World

Leonard Bernstein’s 1949 “Two Love Songs” tell of a love that is stronger than life and can weld two souls together so that they sing a single melody. Oropesa’s butter cream tones were completely unified with Borowitz’s shimmering melodic strains. She finished the first half of the recital with an exquisite rendition of the “Vocalise” that Camille Saint-Saens wrote on a visit to Egypt in 1901. It is a wonderful text-free song that allows the coloratura to use some of her most intricate and difficult maneuvers. For Oropesa, it was a pièce de résistance.

—  Maria Nockin  •  Opera Today

Oropesa runs marathons and no doubt needed that stamina for the non-stop rigorous work-out Gretel gets in the third act. Her high sweet voice always struck just the right note of girlish delight and awe.

—  Christopher Corwin  •  Parterre

The cast is outstanding, especially the Lucia of Cuban-American soprano Lisette Oropesa. A consummate actor with a fresh, pearly sound and exquisite top notes, Oropesa creates a flesh-and-blood character out of Donizetti’s sketchy heroine. Her mad scene is beautifully judged, full of nuance and changes of pace – deeply disturbing rather than tragic – and her tender relationship with Alisa (superbly acted by Rachel Lloyd) is the most honest in this ghastly story.

—  Amanda Holloway  •  The Stage

Nanetta, interprétée par Lisette Oropesa (Gilda surprise la saison dernière à Bastille). Elle aussi soprano, sa voix plus légère et son vibrato serré insufflent une certaine innocence au personnage, gazouillant naïvement pendant que les autres protagonistes montent des stratagèmes pour se piéger. Ses aigus cristallins et sa maîtrise du souffle impressionnent le public, notamment à l'acte III, où, déguisée en Reine des fées, elle produit de merveilleuses envolées lyriques.

—  Malory Matignon  •  Olyrix

Vocally, Oropesa was well ahead of the pack. Her command of phrasing of the coloratura is exceptional: she can accelerate into a run and shape the dynamic as she leads up to a high note which she duly nails in the middle, with no vibrato needed to mask any possible inaccuracy. The timbre is always perfectly smooth and controlled – even when executing complex runs and complex acting moves – and there’s plenty of power to ensure that she’s being heard above the orchestra. Oropesa’s voice had something of a hard edge, but that may well have been a deliberate point of characterisation: in the one scene in which Norina genuinely softens, her love scene with Ernesto, her voice acquired a sweetness that was notably absent for much of the evening. It was a properly starry prima donna performance.

—  David Karlin  •  Bachtrack

 Son sens de la nuance, exceptionnel et charmant, lui garantit de toute façon d’emblée une ovation en fin de soirée : capable de percuter le spectateur d’un aigu flamboyant, elle allège ailleurs son chant sur quelques syllabes susurrant un aigu intense et long. Elle achève son premier air (et le public) d’un suraigu pur dont le vibrato s’élargit progressivement pour se changer en trille.

—  Damien Dutilleul  •  Olyrix

Zo’n dreamteam staat er ook op het podium met bariton Luca Salsi als Rigoletto en Lisette Oropesa als Gilda. Oropesa bracht op de premiere haar aria ‘Caro nome’ met een zoetgevooisd en zilverzacht timbre: het werd een muzikaal hoogtepunt waarin tekstuitdrukking en muzikale virtuositeit op geheel natuurlijke wijze samenvloeiden.

—  Oswin Schneeweisz  •  TheaterKrant

Making the most of her role was the raven haired Spanish lady Konstanze sung by Lisette Oropesa notable for her creamy tone. Extremely well focused she projected her voice strongly through the house right from her first aria ‘Ach ich liebte’ and I especially admired her heavenly aria ‘Martern aller Arten’ from Act II.

—  Michael Cookson  •  Seen and Heard International

The evening opened with “Ragion nell’alma siede,” an aria from Haydn’s opera Il mondo della luna. It was a gutsy move, and Oropesa easily filled the smaller venue with sound. The accuracy during runs was striking, as were the highest notes, all produced with facility. Her tone turned especially limpid on the little cadenza. Pianist Vlad Iftinca, who was a consummate musical partner throughout the program, gave vitality to the long introduction to the piece.

—  Charles T. Downey  •  Washington Classical Review

La transparence du chant, les vocalises irisées et sa simplicité désarmante ont déclenché une salve d'applaudissements bien mérités!

—  Julian Sykes  •  Le Temps

The Cuban-American soprano Lisette Oropesa, was a classy Guild, with a very beautiful, balanced and tuned voice.

—  LucaDella Libera  •  Il Messaggero

Lisette Oropesa gave a simply dazzling performance as tomboy-turned-lady, Marie. From the graceful, ardent first notes (sung off stage) to the glorious finale on the shoulders of the regiment, she was seemingly born to play the part. Her garçon persona – carried off with irresistible spirit and aplomb – was belied by one of those effortlessly lovely female voices, quite thrilling at the higher register, soaring above the chorus and the other leads when needed. It was a consummate performance, sung with notable facility.  

—  Hilary Stroh  •  Bachtrack

Berlin was represented by select Mendelssohn songs, which the soprano Lisette Oropesa, accompanied by the pianist Gilbert Kalish, rendered with pellucid tone and unfussy styling

—  Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim  •  New York Times

Soprano soloist Lisette Oropesa has a rich, complexly timbred voice that works well for this music.

—  J. Robin Coffelt  •  Theater Jones

Oropesa is immediately engaging and she demonstrates impressive control of her voice, most notable in Susanna’s playful aria “Deh vieni, non tardar.”

—  Jennifer Minich  •  MD Theatre Guide

Unter den vorzüglichen Solisten, die fast alle in Doppelrollen zu erleben waren, stachen Anna Prohaska als Phani/Fatime und Lisette Oropesa als Hébé/Zima mit leuchtendem Sopran und nie steril wirkenden Koloraturen hervor.

—  Georg Etscheit  •  Musik Heute

Auch Lisette Oropesa ist von der Allerheiligen-Hofkirche schließlich herübergekommen. Sie und ihre beiden amerikanischen Kollegen, Matthew Grills und John Moore, geben Arien und Duette von Donizetti, Leoncavallo, Puccini und Rossini zum Besten. Besonders Lisette Oropesa singt sich mit ihrer glasklaren Sopranstimme in die Herzen des Publikums.

—  Jennifer Gaschler  •  Süddeutsche Zeitung

“Oropesa performed the lovely solo, “Et incarnatus” with radiant beauty, and her stunning trills, leaps and embellishments were in perfect tandem with the winds of the CSO”“In the evening’s first half, Oropesa displayed impressive vocal flourishes and flexibility in the soprano showpiece, “Exsultate, jubilate.”

—  Janelle Gelfand  •  Cincinnati Enquirer

A special word for Lisette Oropesa, whose character, Mater Gloriosa, is supposed to appear out of the sky. The top tier of Verizon Hall was perfectly suitable, with her in a white gown and voice sounding, well, gloriosa.

—  David Patrick Stearns  •  The Inquirer

Making her debut with the orchestra, soprano Lisette Oropesa spun out a radiant sound that communicated every hopeful, calming word in the fifth movement.

—  Tim Smith  •  Baltimore Sun

Eccellenti e straordinari tutti gli interpreti, dall’ineguagliabile Pappano e dai due solisti, il baritono Vito Priante e, soprattutto, il soprano Lisette Oropesa

—  Sergio Prodigo  •  Focus Italy

Ms. Oropesa and Mr. Churchwell brought uncommon freshness to this music, which somehow hovers on the divide between breathless desire and spiritual calm.Ms. Oropesa combined vocal refinement with articulate delivery of the texts. It’s impressive that all of the English translations printed in the program (the recital spanned Italian, German, French and Spanish) were by Ms. Oropesa herself. Clearly, she involves herself deeply in the words she sings.

—  Anthony Tommasini  •  New York Times

Notable la encarnación de Lisette Oropesa, una voz de lírico-ligera con cuerpo,  impecablemente proyectada, bien colocada y correctamente apoyada sobre el aire. Buena la coloratura como pudo comprobarse en una brillante interpretación del “Caro nome” culminada por un trino largo y de buena factura. Estupendo también fue el mi bemol del final de la vendetta. Cierto es que el timbre no es especialmente bello ni singular y que a alguno de los filados que prodigó le faltó un punto de firmeza y posición, pero estamos, sin duda, ante una soprano con los papeles en regla, con control sobre su instrumento, sobre la intensidad del sonido, la respiración y los resortes del canto. Eso sí, en el aspecto interpretativo no es un prodigio de expresividad.

—  Raúl Chamorro Mena  •  Codalario

Für die erkrankte Patricia Petibon übernahm dankenswerterweise kurzfristig Lisette Oropesa die Rolle der Gilda, die sie mit ihrem vollen, leuchtenden, farbenreichen Sopran sehr schön darbot.

—  Martina Bogner  •  Online Merker

...and the outstanding Oropesa brings psychological depth and emotional expressiveness to her sympathetic character, ranging from–and equally masterful at–the ebullient bel canto and decorative coloratura of Act I to the scaled-down drama and poignancy of Act III.

—  Debra Miller  •  phindie

Soprano Lisette Oropesa was a superb Susanna, singing with both delicacy and quick-witted allure. Her duet with the Count at the beginning of Act 3, in which Susanna pretends to be willing to accept his advances, was a particular high point.

—  Joshua Kosman  •  SFGate

Soprano Lisette Oropesa returned to Pittsburgh Opera for her first performances of the title role. She made for a humorous, charming Marie, and, while not the most nimble, her dulcet voice showed shimmers of brilliance in high notes and trills. Her unceasing energy in the role’s dramatic and vocal acrobatics explained her impressive plans to run the Pittsburgh Marathon mere hours after the curtain dropped.

—  Elizabeth Bloom  •  Pittsburgh Post Gazette

As Susanna, Lisette Oropesa pulls of the the notable aria “Venite, inginocchiatevi “ (“Come, kneel down before me”) perfectly. However, Oropesa’s best moments come through her mastery of the physical humor so prevalent in the play. She executes slapstick with the skill of Charlie Chaplin and keeps the audience laughing so hard that the music occasionally feels like lagniappe. Kudos must be given the blocking in the work.

—  Michael Martin  •  NOLA Defender

Lisette Oropesa brought her limpid, plaintively expressive voice to the two soprano arias.

—  John von Rhein  •  Chicago Tribune

De show werd echter gestolen door Rigoletto’s dochter Gilda, vertolkt door de Amerikaanse sopraan Lisette Oropesa (vorig seizoen Nanetta in Falstaff bij De Nationale Opera). In haar stemgeluid lagen zowel een warme laagte als een glanzende hoogte besloten, en haar vocale acrobatiek was indrukwekkend. Vooral indrukwekkend was haar ‘Caro Nome’, dat in eerste instantie voortijdig moest worden afgebroken omdat iemand in de zaal onwel werd. Ze eindigde de aria met een prachtige triller waar maar geen eind aan leek te komen.

—  Laura Roling  •  Place de l'Opera

Ben affiatato anche il duo protagonista, con Lisette Oropesa nel ruolo di Konstanze in luogo della prevista Albina Shagimuratova. Anche lei soprano ancora giovane, al suo debutto a Parigi ma già Konstanze alla Staatsoper di Monaco, la Oropesa è stata premiata dal pubblico grazie a una prova molto convincente. Elegante e misurata in scena come si conviene al personaggio, ha persuaso per la sua capacità di mettere in rilievo anche nel canto gli stati d’animo, ora malinconici, ora rapiti, ora sdegnati che la parte prevede. Da ciò l’ottimo effetto di Welcher Wechsel herrscht in meiner Seele, sospirosa e malinconica, da ragazza più che da donna infelice nella voce della Oropesa, seguita da Marten aller Arten, cantata con accenti incisivi e appassionata recitazione. 

—  Lorenzo De Vecchi  •  Opera Click

With svelte phrases and gleaming high notes, the American soprano Lisette Oropesa introduced a primly earnest Rosalba, a writer looking to pen a book on the diva.

—  Timothy Mangan  •  Orange County Register

Now for the human stars: Entführung is Konstanze’s show, and Lisette Oropresa doesn’t disappoint. “Ach, ich liebte” is not an easy first aria, and she falters on a few high notes and trills. But by the time she reaches Konstanze’s showpiece “Martern aller Arten”, she’s tossing off coloratura and high Ds with ease and looking fiercely defiant, to boot.

—  Ilana Walder-Biesanz  •  Bachtrack

Mais le moment de grâce absolue se niche sous les étoiles d’un ciel de rêve. Lorsque Gilda apparaît en trapéziste lunaire au-dessus de la roulotte paternelle. Lisette Oropesa offre là un exemple de chant aérien, dans une magnifique longueur de voix, aux nuances souples, à la musicalité fine et à l’humanité frissonnante. Un sommet du genre.

—  Sylvie Bonier  •  Le Temps

The combination of his (John Relyea) big but expressive bass-baritone and her (Lisette Oropesa) lithe, silvery soprano was enchanting. Moving with the elegance of a ballerina, Oropesa flitted easily between outraged innocence and wily cynicism.

—  Wynne Delacoma  •  Chicago Classical Review

Oropesa’s light and dulcet tone was ideal for both the roles of Eve and the angel Gabriel

—  Daniel Hautzinger  •  ClevelandClassical.com

Lisette Oropesa est l'exemple même de chanteuse américaine très préparée, techniquement sans failles, mais qui a aussi une vraie personnalité scénique, lumineuse, engagée.

—  Wanderer  •  Blog du Wanderer

soprano Lisette Oropesa, whose lovely, plaintive vocal colorings made one anticipate her Susanna in the upcoming Ravinia performances of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro"

—  John von Rhein  •  Chicago Tribune

The bright-voiced, impressive soprano Lisette Oropesa is a sunny, winning Sophie

—  Anthony Tommassini  •  New York Times

Nanetta’s music is a gift to any light soprano, and the Met has fortunately cast Lisette Oropesa, possibly the best singer they have in this Fach. She sang “Sul fil d'un soffio etesio” with beautifully light, clear, crystalline tone, and her high notes hang in the air forever.

—  Micaela  •  Likely Impossibilities

She, for her part used her light, clear sound effectively, with no signs of strain up to high D in the climactic passage.

—  Robert Croan  •  Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Soprano Lisette Oropesa made a pleasing debut as the suffering Amalia

—  Charles T. Downey  •  Washington Post

Lisette Oropesa, who made everyone fall in love with her right from the outset in her company debut. Nothing in the evening surpassed her rendition of “Deh vieni, non tardar” in Act IV, in which she spun strands of magic in the evening air.

—  James M. Keller  •  Santa Fe New Mexican

Soprano Lisette Oropesa was brilliant in Handel's lively “Da tempeste,” hitting the best high notes of the night and showing signs of being an opera star on the rise

—  David Hendricks  •  My San Antonio

...beautifully sung from offstage by Lisette Oropesa.

—  Vivien Schweitzer  •  New York Times

Oropesa also has, perhaps more noticably for some, a pure light lyric soprano that is as balanced and classically expressive as recent decades have seen.

—  JSU  •  An Unamplified Voice

The soprano Lisette Oropesa made a fresh-faced and innocent Pamina. Her aria Ach, ich fühl’s, sung as she believes Tamino no longer loves her, was genuinely moving, with quietly intense high notes and assured, unforced articulation of quick passages.

—  David Fleshler  •  South Florida Classical Review

Oropesa’s soprano simply dazzled in the seductive “V’adoro pupille,” and she convincingly made the key dramatic arc from sexy schemer to a heroine of profound feeling

—  Mark Stryker  •  Detroit Free Press

"You could exhaust the dictionary looking for the perfect words to describe coloratura soprano Lisette Oropesa’s performance at Tucson Music Hall Saturday night. “Arresting.” “Stunning.” “Magnificent.” “Sublime.” Extraordinary.” They come to mind alongside “brilliant,” “breath-taking,” ‘divine” and “fearless.”"

—  Cathalena E. Burch  •  Arizona Daily Star

Lisette Oropesa as Isemene sang with the most beautiful sound in the cast

—  Zerbinetta  •  Bachtrack

...and the best singer of the bunch, the petit flapper that was Ms. Oropesa, had the best music. The light soprano consistently tossed off high notes and coloratura with ease, and then cleared out emotional space in the touching aria "Endless Grief."

—  Andrew Druckenbrod  •  Pittsburgh Post Gazette

"She has a real feeling for the French language and style" and "A light lyric soprano with a full arsenal of bel canto effects at her disposal, she wields a distinctive, bell-like timbre that is instantly appealing"

—  Eric Myers  •  Opera News

The lyric soprano Lisette Oropesa brought a gleaming voice and beguiling grace to Miranda.

—  Anthony Tommasini  •  New York Times

"Making her San Francisco Opera debut, 2005 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions winner Lisette Oropesa as Romilda displayed a most engaging light soprano with an especially lovely top. The highest notes may not boom out, but their sweetness and fragility cuts right to the heart."

—  Jason Victor Serinus  •  San Francisco Classical Voice

Ismene, the (eventual) bride of Farnace, was the American soprano Lisette Oropesa, whose performance was remarkable: A very attractive voice and an excellent singer.

—  José MªIrurzun  •  Seen and Heard International

And Lisette Oropesa, also a soprano, was charming as the chirpy Amor, meeting the production’s demand that she sing dangling from wires high above the stage with aplomb.

—  James R. Oestreich  •  New York Times

New Orleans-born soprano Lisette Oropesa sang the role of Leila, the priestess at the apex of the love triangle. Audiences will recall her debut with the company a couple of seasons ago as Gilda in “Rigoletto.” Here she has truly found her voice, which has developed beautifully. She has the lightness and flexibility for Bizet’s lines, while also showing an impressive depth and richness, adding layers of color. She also is a charming singing actress, drawing out all she can from the sketchily defined role.

—  Theodore P. Mahne  •  The Times-Picayune