Over the past years, Vittorio Grigolo has become one of the biggest stars in the opera world for his magnetic and charismatic stage presence. His performances have been heralded by critics in numerous lyric roles including Nemorino in “L’Elisir d’Amore,” Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Rodolfo in “La “Boheme,” and Hoffmann in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” And now the tenor is up for a new challenge as he heads into his first major dramatic role, Cavaradossi in “Tosca.”

For Grigolo, this” Tosca” is especially important as he once portrayed the Shepherd Boy in a production at the Rome Opera alongside Luciano Pavarotti. And this time he gets to portray the lead of Cavaradossi in arguably his biggest assignment at the Metropolitan Opera. Grigolo gets to headline his second new production on New Year’s Eve with an HD performance scheduled for later in the run.

Since his Met debut in 2010, Grigolo has become an important asset for the company, appearing in three HD productions including “La Bohème,” “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” and “Roméo et Juliette” alongside Diana Damrau. He also headlined a revival of “Manon,” which was heralded by critics as “sensational.” Elsewhere, Grigolo has headlined important gala concerts, numerous productions at the Royal Opera House and became the youngest singer to perform at the Teatro alla Scala. He has recorded numerous solo albums for Sony Classical including a French album, a sacred songs album, an Italian CD, and a recording of “West Side Story.”

For those who are unable to see Grigolo in “Tosca,” he is set to appear in “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Met in the spring and also headlines a new production of “Gianni Schicchi” at the Opéra de Paris.  He also makes appearances at the Bayerische Staatsoper.