Lisette Oropesa won the Zarzuela Prize and also took third prize in the opera competition at Placido Domingo's OPERALIA Competition in Paris yesterday. Capturing the Zarzuela crown must be especially gratifying for Lisette since she traces her family line back to both Cuba and Spain.
A French blog has covered the Final here. There is no English translation but this blogger gives Lisette an A+++ rating and remarks on the fact that Lisette has accomplished this at the tender age of 23. There is a great photo of all the finalists at the end of the blog entry; Lisette is third from left, embracing her trophy. Sweet!
UPDATE: Lisette and her husband returned to NYC on Sunday and Wei & I met them and Rob Scott to celebrate her Paris prizes (and also my birthday) on July 3 at Pain Quotidien. Lisette had a ton of photos from Paris, both in and around the City and also from the Operalia Competition. {Left, with the Seine in the background.}
Lisette won the Zarzuela Prize among the women and here she is with tenor Aurelio Gabaldon who took the men's Zaruela Prize. The zarzuela portion of the competition is very important to Placido Domingo because his parents were zarzuela (Spanish operetta) singers. I found an earlier video of Mr. Gabaldon here.
Also winning a prize in the zarzuela competition was the soprano Carmen Solis Gonzalez; she & Lisette became friends during the course of the competition and I love this picture of the two of them. I'm really curious to hear this woman sing; Lisette describes her voice as rich and tending towards spinto.
Lisette said one of the finest singers she heard during the competition was the Italian baritone Marco Caria Mr. Caria won the Audience Prize and Lisette describes the voice as a real Verdi baritone. It will be great to have an opportunity to hear these young singers as their careers develop.
Here are some photos from the impromptu party at Pain Quotidien. Rob looks totally relaxed. Isn't my Winger t-shirt vivid? Lisette loves sunflowers.
That is so awesome!!!! Congratulations to Lisette! I will definitely be looking for her onstage this opera season!
Posted by: tonya | July 01, 2007 at 12:16 PM
I'll introduce you to her sometime, I think you'll really like her.
Posted by: Philip | July 01, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Definitely!
Posted by: tonya | July 01, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Oh, I think I missed this update. Congratulations to her again! (I love sunflowers too, by the way -- I think I might have said that in an earlier comment perhaps when you revealed that about her previously? Maybe it's just deja vu -- it's just funny because it's not a common favorite flower!) She looks so sweet! Oh, and happy birthday to you!!!
Posted by: tonya | July 06, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Philip, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I'd love to meet Lisette one of these days. Many Congrats to her!
Posted by: Nicole | July 08, 2007 at 09:28 PM
Nic, I can't believe we ran into you today! PQ is Lisette's favorite place too so there's no reason we can't all meet there soon.
I hope your rehearsal went well...your PQ lemonade with fresh mint looked really 'cool' on this hot day.
Posted by: Philip | July 08, 2007 at 10:38 PM
I have some time off next week & can't wait! Let's all get together then, maybe. It was GREAT to see you too, as always. Mint Lemonade from Le Pain Q is the BEST!
Posted by: Nicole | July 09, 2007 at 09:44 PM
Great idea, but Lisette's going home to Louisiana for about a week starting tomorrow.
Posted by: Philip | July 09, 2007 at 09:50 PM