There is no denying Oropesa’s vocal purity and assurance and she wove an elegant legato line throughout “Je suis encore tout étourdie,” with the high A naturals at the apex of main melody statement gleaming. Moreover, Pelly’s production requires a singer who can also dominate as an actress, navigating the complex world that the director created for the opera and character. Speaking of Lisette Oropesa, she had a major success in her first Met “Manon.” The title role is a mammoth undertaking and has proven a touchstone role for many famed divas of the past.

New York Classical Review Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Review: Manon Sept.

In the first two acts she approached the role with a lovely, bright innocence, charming with a rendition of “Je suis encore tout étourdie” that combined spacious phrasing and breathless excitement, then channeling quiet but intense sadness in “Adieu, notre petite table.” - Eric C. Moreover, Oropesa proved to be the rare soprano who can be entirely convincing in both sides of a complex role. Her voice has grown in size and color since the days when she primarily appeared in soubrette parts: she has developed into a formidable lyric soprano, her voice filling out into a luscious instrument without losing any of its flexibility or tartness. Lisette Oropesa gave a performance as Manon that confirmed she is fully ready for leading roles at the Met. Oropesa shines brightly in Met’s lethargic “Manon” Sept.

Met opera schedule 2019 hd