Stars' recitals with piano: Lisette Oropesa

Born in New Orleans to Cuban parents, Lisette Oropesa initially intended to become a flutist, but was encouraged by her opera singer and music teacher mother to study to become a soloist at the University of Louisiana. In 2005, as a finalist in the Metropolitan vocal competition, she was invited to participate in a training course for young artists, which led to her American debut a year later in small roles in Idomeneo and Suor Angelica. Her first leading role was as Susanna, with Erwin Schrott, and since then she has appeared at the famous New York opera house in every season.

Her repertoire includes works by Mozart, Donizetti and Verdi, but she has also appeared in numerous baroque opera productions and sung almost all the major oratorios from Bach to Orff. In addition to her opera career, she is an active marathon runner and co-author of a book about sport and vegan lifestyle.

The coloratura soprano is a frequent guest in European opera houses from Cardiff to Paris, Geneva, Milan and Vienna, and now visiting Budapest for the first time in her career as part of the series Stars’ recitals with piano.