6 Milestones in Ailyn Perez’s Early Career

By Francisco Salazar

Ailyn Pérez is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world. She has slowly built her career with a varied repertoire that has shown her versatility and acting chops.

In celebration of her birthday on August 15, 1979, OperaWire takes a look at some of the soprano’s milestones thus far.

Operalia and Competitions 

While Pérez did not win the Operalia competition, she took home the second prize. However, she did win the George London Foundation’s Leonie Rysanek Award and Shoshana Foundation Career Grant.

Richard Tucker Award

In 2012, Pérez won the Richard Tucker Award. At the gala concert  she performed from selections from such operas as  “L’Amico Fritz” and “Manon,” among others.

Albums

In 2014, Pérez made her CD debut for Warner Classics in an album dedicated to love duets from opera and musicals. She would later make her solo recital debut on Opus Arte singing a variety of songs.

Metropolitan Opera Debut 

For years the soprano was a house favorite all over the world but she had yet to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. However, in 2015, after years of waiting, audiences finally got to hear the soprano make her debut as Michaëla in “Carmen.” She would go on to perform in “La Bohème” as Musetta and Mimì and this season is slated for her biggest engagements as she will take on three roles, including her first ever appearance in the title role of  “Thaïs.”

A World Premiere 

In 2015 Pérez joined Frederica Von Stade and Joyce DiDonato for the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s “Great Scott” at the Dallas Opera. She created the role of  Tatyana Bakst.

Outreach 

In addition to being a singer, Pérez actively does outreach work with schools and arts programs. She became an advisory board member for Time In Kids, an acclaimed arts education and outreach initiative based in New York City.

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