"You do get better at even the things you're terrible at, if you practice." - Lisette Oropesa

https://www.livingtheclassicallife.com/
An increasingly formidable presence on the world's stages, soprano Lisette Oropesa was born in New Orleans to Cuban immigrant parents. At age 22 she sang her first major role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Susanna in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, and she recently triumphed as the Met’s new Manon and Violetta. One of the most celebrated singers of her generation, she is a devoted runner who was featured in Runner's World Magazine, and with her personal story of fitness continues to inspire in all areas of life. She joins us here at Living the Classical Life for a discussion of how she mentally prepares a role for performance, how she regards audience perception in an age of Instagram glossiness, how to sort rejection and criticism, and how she ultimately seeks to communicate a sense of wonder in life.

Title cards:

1. "Lisette Oropesa’s performance in Massenet’s opera at the Met is alone worth the price of admission." - New York Times
Since graduating from the Met’s Lindemann Young Artists program, the soprano has had a meteoric career. In her debut in the Met’s new 2020 Traviata she emerged as “a major Violetta,” excelling again in a touchstone role.

2. In 2019 Lisette won both the Beverly Sills Artist and Richard Tucker Awards. She maintains a popular blog advising young singers and is a devoted runner who has completed 6 marathons.

3. Lisette Oropesa sings an excerpt from Manon, Act III Gavotte
Production: Laurent Pelly
Conductor: Maurizio Benini
2019–20 season
With thanks to Metropolitan Opera.