Radiating Happiness: An Interview with Opera Star Kristīne Opolais

The performance marks the fulfillment of a long-held ambition for Domingo to sing in Latvia, brought to fruition with the involvement of tenor Michael Fabiano and conductor Valentin Uryupin.

Starlight Collaboration in Jūrmala

For twenty years, Opolais has maintained a prominent position on global opera stages, performing leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Berlin State Opera, Royal Opera House in London, Teatro alla Scala, and Bavarian State Opera. According to KDi, the upcoming Jūrmala program developed from conversations between Opolais and Domingo, culminating in a collaboration organized with producer Yevgeny Vintur. Alongside Domingo and Opolais, American tenor Michael Fabiano will make his first stage appearance with the soprano. The concert will feature music by Giuseppe Verdi, Umberto Giordano, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Giacomo Puccini, Francesco Cilea, Antonín Dvořák, and Franz Lehár. Opolais noted that the first half will comprise complex operatic works, while the second half will focus on lighter seasonal repertoire.

Repertoire Evolution and Vocal Technique

Reflecting on her vocal development, Opolais stated that she recently worked with a vocal technique coach in New York while expanding her mastery of classical singing mechanics. Although she established her career through intuitive and emotionally driven performances in dramatic roles, she now balances heavy dramatic commitments with lyrical finesse. According to her statements to KDi, a New York vocal coach confirmed that her voice retains its lyrical softness despite years of heavy repertoire. This balance allows her to avoid rushing into exclusively dramatic roles like Abigaille in Nabucco or Lady Macbeth. Her milestone roles continue to include Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka and Katerina Izmailova in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District, which she recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under conductor Andris Nelsons for Deutsche Grammophon.

Future Projects and Soloconcerts

Opolais continues to expand her schedule of intimate soloconcerts, finding artistic freedom in performing arias as short monodramas with a pianist. According to her interview with KDi, she will embark on a tour that includes a debut soloconcert at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City this November and a performance at the Łódź Theatre in Poland during the autumn. Domestically, she is scheduled to perform at concert hall Latvija in Ventspils on October 10 alongside pianist Agnese Egliņa. Looking further ahead to January 2027, she will reunite with conductor Andris Nelsons in Boston for a concert performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Pro Tip for Aspiring Singers

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is Kristine Opolais performing with Placido Domingo?

They will perform at a gala concert on July 29 at the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala, Latvia.

Who else will perform at the Dzintari Concert Hall gala?

The concert features tenor Michael Fabiano and an orchestra led by conductor Valentin Uryupin.

What are some of Opolais’s upcoming international appearances?

She will perform a soloconcert at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in November, appear at the Łódź Theatre in Poland during the autumn, and sing in a concert performance of The Queen of Spades in Boston in January 2027.


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