NEW YORK (AP) — Asmik Grigorian laughs when she recalls that she had been singing professionally for more than a decade when the International Opera Awards proclaimed her the “best young female singer” of 2016.
“So for 12 years I was nothing, and then I immediately became the best!” the Lithuanian soprano joked in an interview.
Now at the peak of her career and seemingly able to sing just about any role she chooses, from Dvorak’s lyrical “Rusalka” to Puccini’s dramatic “Turandot,” Grigorian is about to make her Metropolitan Opera debut in another Puccini classic, “Madame Butterfly.”
“My only regret is not having booked her sooner,” said Met general manager Peter Gelb. “Asmik is an operatic force of nature, one of the greatest and most complete vocal and acting packages in recent operatic history.”
Growing up in Vilnius she had plenty of exposure to opera. Both her parents, tenor Gegam Grigorian and soprano Irena Milkeviciute, were opera singers and both appeared at the Met, where Asmik traveled with them while a young girl.
Biden blames Trump for Florida's six
EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: What next for Huw Edwards after he finally confirms he is leaving the BBC?
Taylor Swift's former boyfriends have ended up marrying Swifties
Met Gala 2024: The theme, who's hosting and what else to know
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, reveals he did NOT watch future daughter
Why Meghan's podcast has hit a snag before it even begins: Duchess's much
NATO newcomer Finland is now a 'front
The UK government finally passes bill to send migrants to Rwanda. What took so long?
Pakistan and Iran vow to enhance efforts at a 'united front' against Afghanistan
United Methodists open first top
Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left
Bill Hader and Ali Wong can't stop giggling as the comedians leave loved