Kristine Opolais performed the role of Cio-Cio-San to spectacular reviews in The Metropolitan Opera’s Madame Butterfly, which opened on April 4.

“In Kristine Opolais . . . the company has a Butterfly with the soaring voice and penetrating theatrical presence to meet Minghella’s elegant dramaturgy head on . . . she is the most compelling Met Cio-Cio-San since Diana Soviero last sang the role here nearly 20 years ago.” (New York Observer)

“Ms. Opolais’s voluptuous, expressive voice soared over Puccini’s dense orchestration, and there were riveting moments in her portrayal . . .” (New York Times)

Less than 12 hours after her role debut in Butterfly, Kristine received a call from Met General Director Peter Gelb, asking her to sing Mimi for the Saturday afternoon Live in HD broadcast performance of La bohème. Ms. Opolais accepted the challenge, and in doing so set a Metropolitan Opera record for two role debuts in less than twenty-four hours, garnering international acclaim for her second debut. The New York Times published a feature on her debut appearances: “For Soprano, From ‘Butterfly’ to ‘Bohème,’ in a Flash”.