María José Siri is set to make her  Parisian debut in a gala concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées featuring Verdi arias and duets with tenor Gregory Kunde and Michele Mariotti leading the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale of Bologna.

In a press release, Siri noted, “I’m so happy to be finally singing in Paris, a city I love very much. As a young singer, I studied for a year at the Conservatoire Municipal W. A. Mozart and only have the best memories of this incredible city full of music, culture, and art. The Théâtre des Champs Élysées is a beautiful venue and I can’t wait to sing there for the first time.”

She also couldn’t hide her enthusiasm for her two major colleagues for the performance. She noted her history with both, emphasizing the impact that Mariotti has had on her career.

“The first time we worked together was in 2015 when I made my role debut as Amelia in ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ at the Teatro Comunale of Bologna,” she continued. “The year after I returned there as Odabella in ‘Attila,’ another role debut, and just earlier this month I performed the role of Elisabetta di Valois in ‘Don Carlo’ under his musical direction in Bologna.”

Regarding Gregory Kunde, a singer she has collaborated with on numerous projects, Siri said, “I consider him one of the finest tenors of our days. He was my Riccardo in the ‘Ballo’ in Bologna in 2015, my Des Grieux in ‘Manon Lescaut’ in Turin and Geneve, my Andrea Chénier in Rome and we sang a concert performance of ‘Aida’ in Moscow, an opera we will be singing together again this summer at the Arena of Verona. I think our voices blend very well and I’m delighted he is my partner at this important concert.”

The Uruguayan soprano has been a huge proponent of Verdi operas having sung 11 roles and is set to end her season traveling to the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires for Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem.” She will also sing “Aida” at the Arena di Verona.