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

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.

[szegedification]

She is a wonderful singer and a delightful person.

[valentinajerenec]

Listening to Lisette is like therapy. Thank you for being open and smart and just a beautiful human being <3

[SilvaMorasten]

Such a refreshing and deep interview, so enriching for me as singer and runner too! Thank you for making this.

[Daddy]

We’re terrible at running. “Perfect, let’s do that!” 😆👍🏻

[OperaLover]

Could listen to Lisette for hours. Thank you for doing this episode :)

[heidishouse]

I started following, appreciating, and being in awe of this women about 4 years ago. I try to learn from as many people as I can, all artists, musicians, and voice types and incorporate the gifts they offer through these interviews and performances. Lisette is very special beyond her gift of voice. She is like an “old soul” and she teaches so much through her foundations in habit and skill sets. It doesn’t matter what you do whether it’s performing, running, or walking the dog 😂 if you have strong habits and skill sets you can be successful and find gratitude in what you achieve and do in this life. Thank you for your gifts and sharing them with the world. Oxoxo

[dir]

This is more an interview about life and human matters around music! Thank you! Because music is beautiful, being a musician/singer is beautiful but it is only a part of life and our processes as human beings!
Thank you for your very smart and insightful sharing, Lisette!

[quaver]

Thank you. Remarkable person. Lovely sense of humour about herself.

[charliekim]

Lisette, you are a jewel of humanity. I hope you will still be active on net (or whatever future media) when my (4-yr-old) grand-daughter becomes a teen. I wish I could steer her to your operas and talks to learn what makes a person good and desirable.

[ahagen]

Wonderful interview. Lisette Oropesa is indeed one of the best young Opera singer from this new generation in our times. Way to go.

[anacvetkovicsoprano]

Thank You Lisette ❤️
wonderful interview!

[jackatherton]

Lisette reminds me so much of the remarkable Cuban-Americans my wife and I met when we moved for a time to Miami: down-to-earth, funny, goal oriented, charismatic. They built that city and Lisette has built a wonderful career.

[jeromecareglio]

Lisette restera une artiste importante pour sa génération. C’est une chance de l’avoir. 👌

[patrickwalsh]

Everyone can learn some important life lessons from Lisette. Should be a class all by itself. Well done and well said.

[Katrca]

This speaks to me in so many ways! Thank you!

[wotan]

I’ve seen her onstage as Manon and Traviata. Very impressive.

[govcalif]

when you hear someone who radiates talent and greatness, you feel so much smaller and envious. how can we ever hope to match such an achiever?

[feyzaflute]

What an inspiring human being! Thanks for the interview!

[pianistalatina]

As always, such a delight to watch these interviews! This one was a gem, so very enjoyable!!

[danielaruthstoll]

Dear Lisette, what you are saying about the mountains and feelings really small, looking at the world instead of being looked at moved me deeply. (35:09 and following)