Asmik Grigorian, 44, is set to make a landmark debut as Carmen in 2026, performing at Salzburg Festival and Carnegie Hall.
Salzburg Festival Debut
Grigorian will sing the title role next summer in Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” a mezzo-soprano touchstone, at the Salzburg Festival. She said, “I thought if I want to do ‘Carmen’ I need to do it now because I don’t want to do when I will be 54,” ahead of a concert this weekend at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Carnegie Hall Performance
She will appear on Saturday at Carnegie Hall alongside Thomas Hampson, Sondra Radvanovsky, Nadine Sierra, Brian Jagde and Anita Monserrat. The program will include the final scene from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” an opera she will perform at the Met starting April 20.
Production Details
Grigorian will sing eight “Carmen” performances beginning July 26 in a new production by Gabriela Carrizo. Jonathan Tetelman will portray Don José, Kristina Mkhitaryan will play Micaëla, and Teodor Currentzis will conduct the Utopia Orchestra. Peter Gelb, Metropolitan Opera’s general manager, said, “I would not bet against her. She’s very much of a kind of old-school singer. She’s kind of fearless when it comes to taking on new repertoire.”
Industry Perspectives
Promoter Eugene Wintour, arranging his first U.S. event, wanted to pair stars who hadn’t sung together before. Ticket sales at Carnegie were slow, and Wintour plans another star-filled concert next year before the holidays. He added, “In Europe, Christmas and New Year’s concerts are sold out instantly. It’s a learning curve working here in the states.”
Personal Journey
A daughter of tenor Gegham Grigorian, she made her opera debut in 2004 as Donna Anna in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” in Norway. Her current season includes the title roles in Puccini’s “Turandot” and “Manon Lescaut,” and Strauss’s “Salome.” She has tentatively planned Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” at the Vienna State Opera in 2029. While she has sung Micaëla, the lower tessitura of Carmen can spark controversy.
Lisette Oropesa remarked, “If you feel that you have the notes and you have the personality and you’re a star like Asmik or you’re a star like Ana María Martínez and a theater will give it to you, hallelujah.” Martínez, who debuted as Carmen in 2014 at the Houston Grand Opera at the behest of Anthony Freud, said, “The most intimidating aspect of ‘Carmen’ is nothing vocal. … It’s much more about commanding the stage.” She praised Grigorian’s presence and magnetism.
Grigorian’s first performance as Carmen is expected to draw considerable attention in the classical music world. She said, “I started to live that role day by day a bit. I never know if I can sing something before I start to do it, so maybe it will be my failure? Who knows? Let’s see.”
Key Takeaways
- Grigorian will debut as Carmen in July 2026 at Salzburg Festival and Carnegie Hall.
- Eight performances will begin July 26 under Gabriela Carrizo, with Teodor Currentzis conducting.
- She will join Thomas Hampson for “Eugene Onegin” at Carnegie Hall, and perform the role at the Met starting April 20.
The upcoming season marks a pivotal moment for the soprano, as she embraces a role that has challenged singers for generations.
