“Ms. Opolais’s voluptuous, expressive voice soared over Puccini’s dense orchestration, and there were riveting moments in her portrayal, as the naïve young Butterfly evolves from a shy, love-struck girl to a heartbroken, outraged mother whose faith in her husband is shattered.”

-Vivien Schweitzer, The New York Times

“In Kristine Opolais, who gave her first Met performance in the title role on Friday night, the company has a Butterfly with the soaring voice and penetrating theatrical presence to meet Minghella’s elegant dramaturgy head on . . . She is a bold artist, the kind of singer who makes attending the opera a transformative pleasure. Her presence electrified the entire performance.”

-James Jorden, New York Observer

“Cio-Cio-San, the teenage, Japanese Butterfly herself, is soprano Kristine Opolais. Her entrance was vocally spectacular, with the kind of rich, powerful coloratura that rivets the attention. Her voice and demeanor cut through the music and stage trappings and cemented Butterfly as the central presence in the opera.”

-George Grella, New York Classical Review

“The tremendous performance by Opolais is a key attraction of this return season on Butterfly. Her soprano shimmering with golden hues, Opolais sings the epic role with seemingly endless reserves of energy and control . . . There is the sense that we are hearing one of the future greats when watching Opolais in action. Future engagements are highly anticipated.”

-Simon Parris, Man in Chair

“Kristine Opolais is one of the most prominent rising stars in the opera and continued to prove her place among opera’s elite on Friday April 5 in Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The Latvian soprano made a terrific debut at the Met Opera last season in Puccini’s “La Rondine,” but even that terrific run of performances could not prepare the audience for the breath-taking turn that she would showcase in her first Met Butterfly . . . From the opening note, the soprano provided a visceral and arresting portrayal of the sweet girl who not only loses her innocence, but takes her life.”

-David Salazar, Latinos Post