Classical Post Awards 2019: Lisette Oropesa, Most Innovative Singer: Soprano
Described as “one of those exceptional things that appears, like a Haley comment, once every 10 years” (Notodo), Lisette Oropesa is one of the world’s most demanded presences in lyric coloraturas in our modern-day. With several successes and debuts in this current season alone—Opera National de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, the Teatro Real Madrid, and more—Lisette’s “endless supply of golden-age trills” (Opera News) and “brightly crystalline and arrestingly powerful” voice (New York Times) have made this Cuban-American soprano a must-witness performer, turning everything she touches into gold (Place de l’Opera).
Lisette, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, played the flute for 12 before studying vocal performance at Louisiana State University. She sang her first major role at the age of 22, after winning the Met Opera National Council Audition and entering the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program in New York City. Since, Lisette has performed all around the world, quickly and seamlessly becoming one of the most celebrated sopranos of her generation.
Explore all the winners of this year’s Classical Post Awards.
Soprano Lisette Oropesa. Photo credit: Jason Homa