Ailyn Pérez takes to the stage of New York’s Metropolitan Opera tonight for her debut performances with the company. For this momentous occasion, Ailyn will sing the role of Micaëla in Richard Eyre’s hit production of Bizet’s Carmen, in the first of seven performances (Feb 6–March 7) that team Pérez with an all-star cast under the direction of French conductor Louis Langrée. Elina Garanca will reprise her celebrated account of Bizet’s title role, and two superstar tenors will take turns as Don José – Roberto Alagna for the first five performances (Feb 6, 9, 13, 19 & 26), and Jonas Kaufmann for the final two (March 4 & 7).
Ailyn had this to say about her debut:
“A Metropolitan Opera debut is the goal of every young American singer. To sing in a theater where so many legendary artists of the past and present perform is an awe-inspiring experience. This is a dream come true for me, and I can’t wait to sing for this audience, in THIS great house, alongside this cast, in the midst of this great tradition upheld by the Met Opera Orchestra, choir, and crew!”
When Ailyn sang the role with Opera Company of Philadelphia (now Opera Philadelphia), David Patrick Stearns praised her “innate allure,” noting in his Philadelphia Inquirer review, “singer and character merged with seamless simplicity. Opera buffs live for such moments. The rain didn’t stop when she sang, but seemed to.”
In a recent interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Ailyn calls Micaëla “the lyric soprano’s debut dream role.” The full article and an accompanying slideshow may be accessed here.
For information about Carmen at the Met, and to purchase tickets, click here.