Soprano Lisette Oropesa, known for her agile bel canto performances, recently reflected on the challenges and triumphs of her opera career in an extended interview. The Louisiana-born artist discussed the rigorous demands of her profession, the personal sacrifices involved, and her perspective on the evolving landscape of opera.

Oropesa emphasized the importance of vocal rest, describing a strict regimen of up to 12 hours of silence on days when she performs extensively. Her husband, a traveling web developer and her longtime partner since high school, supports her lifestyle, even amidst the quiet spells. The couple reconnected in their twenties through early social media, having first met in high school before living apart.

A significant milestone in Oropesa’s career was her 2017 Covent Garden debut as Lucia di Lammermoor, a role that cemented her as a leading interpreter of the bel canto repertoire. This year, she returned to the Metropolitan Opera with the role of Elvira, garnering critical acclaim for her "dazzling coloratura" and drawing comparisons to celebrated sopranos such as Joan Sutherland.

She described the delicate timing required for tackling bel canto roles, noting that singers must find the right balance of vocal maturity: “You need to be ripe, not green. But not too ripe.” Oropesa acknowledged the pressures artists face to deliver perfect performances, sometimes pushing through illness or subpar conditions due to contractual and financial obligations. "There is no show without you," she said, underscoring the demanding nature of the profession.

Oropesa also addressed the scrutiny opera singers endure, particularly regarding physical appearance. In 2018, she spoke openly about being considered "too fat" early in her career, recounting advice from superiors to lose weight to secure roles despite support for her vocal talent. She recognizes the various paths artists take to maintain or enhance their stage appearance, expressing nonjudgmental support for individual choices.

Her family background is rooted in Cuban immigrant experiences. Her mother arrived as a child, while her father emigrated under unusual circumstances during the Carter administration’s Cuban admission program. Growing up in a close-knit, traditional household where Spanish was the primary language, Oropesa credits this upbringing for her linguistic facility in Italian and French. She identifies closely with characters like Gilda from Verdi’s *Rigoletto*, relating to themes of shelter and protection from a challenging outside world.

Oropesa’s career trajectory notably advanced following her participation in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Programme at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, which she describes as a cultural shift from her conservative Louisiana roots. The Met has since become her artistic home, where she is now regarded as a marquee performer.

On the broader state of opera, Oropesa expressed concerns about the art form’s reliance on donor funding despite the presence of affluent patrons. She questioned the effectiveness of current fundraising appeals, suggesting that opera sometimes apologizes unnecessarily for itself. While she rejects calls to significantly alter opera’s core qualities to fit contemporary tastes, she highlighted the challenge of clearly communicating its value to audiences and benefactors alike.

Oropesa’s next engagement is *I puritani* at London’s Royal Opera House, running from June 30 to July 19.