American soprano Lisette Oropesa is performing the title role of Elvira in Bellini’s opera I Puritani [1, 2].

The performance highlights Oropesa's ability to navigate the complex vocal and dramatic requirements of the bel canto repertoire. Her preparation for the role has drawn significant attention from opera leadership and critics alike.

Footage of the soprano's preparations includes a pre-performance video from the Royal Opera House in London and rehearsal footage from the Metropolitan Opera in New York [1, 4]. The Met rehearsal was filmed on Dec. 22, 2025 [3], as part of the 2025-26 season [5].

Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, praised Oropesa's artistry and mental agility. Gelb said, "She seems to have that kind of intellectual quickness" [2].

Gelb compared the soprano's talent to a legendary predecessor. "She reminds me a little bit of Beverly Sills," Gelb said [2].

Reports on Oropesa's progress and the praise from Met leadership were published on Jan. 6, 2026 [3]. The role of Elvira is known for its demanding coloratura passages and emotional depth, requiring a singer to balance technical precision, and dramatic expression [1, 2].

“"She reminds me a little bit of Beverly Sills."”

The comparison to Beverly Sills, a titan of 20th-century American opera, signals a high level of institutional confidence in Oropesa's technical mastery. By showcasing rehearsals from both the Royal Opera House and the Met, the production emphasizes the global scale of Oropesa's preparation for one of the most challenging soprano roles in the bel canto era.