Regarded as “the leading Puccini Soprano of today” (The Telegraph), Kristine Opolais travels to Tokyo to tour with Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in the title role of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut for her first engagement of the 2018/19 season.

Marking her Japanese debut, Opolais will share the stage on September 16, 20 and 22 with Gregory Kunde as Chevalier des Grieux, Alessandro Luongo as Lescaut, Maurizio Muraro as Geronte de Ravoir, and Alessandro Liberatore as Edmondo. Donato Renzetti conducts the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Orchestra and Chiara Muti directs. In 2016, Ms. Opolais received critical success for her spectacular portrayal of one of Puccini’s most iconic roles at The Metropolitan Opera:

“As Manon, the soprano Kristine Opolais sounded as glamorous as she looked…Ms. Opolais’s Manon is overcome with attraction to des Grieux, feelings that unfold in the radiant warmth and sultry ardor of her singing during their romantic exchanges. But she also subtly reveals Manon’s desperation: a young woman whose father seems to have come on hard times is destined for a convent, yet quivering with desire…Ms. Opolais brought anguished beauty to the grim aria “Sola, perduta, abbandonata.” (The New York Times)

Enjoy Ms. Opolais singing “Sola, perduta, abbandonata” from Act IV of Manon Lescaut: