Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez burst onto the international opera scene in 2007, making a break-out company debut with her soulful portrayal of Mimi in Puccini’s La bohème at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and directed by Renata Scotto, critics were unanimous with praise: “Conveying lyric pathos seems to come as naturally to Alvarez as breathing” (Chicago Tribune). Characterized by a distinct “buffed bronze soprano” (Opera News), Alvarez has blossomed into a true spinto d’agilita, delivering performances rich with “melting, voluminous sound” (Frankfurter Allgemeine), “spectacular agility” (Opera World Magazine), and “a profoundly genuine sentimentality” (Miami Herald).

In June of 2019, Ms. Alvarez made a stunning 11th hour debut as Aïda under the baton of legendary Maestro Riccardo Muti, marking her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Other notable engagements have featured Alvarez in numerous role and house debuts of iconic leading ladies including Tosca with Choregies d’Orange and Opera de Oviedo; Kat’a Kabanova with Boston Lyric Opera; Mimi for Opera National de Bordeaux; Florencia en el Amazonas for San Diego Opera; Verdi heroines Elvira in Ernani, Hélène in Jerusalem, and the title role of Aïda under the baton of Speranza Scappucci for Opera Royal de Wallonie, with a return to ORW as Donizetti’s Anna Bolena. The 2019-2020 COVID-19 affected season featured a return to Anna Bolena at the Royal Opera House Muscat on tour with Opera Royal de Wallonie, the title role in Cecilia Valdez with Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, and de Falla’s Siete Canciones Populares with Sphinx Virtuosi Ensemble as well as cancelled performances as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Minnesota Opera, Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 with Jacksonville Symphony, and Tosca for Chautauqua Opera. Engagements for this season and beyond include performances with the Columbus Symphony (cancelled) as well as appearances with Fort Worth Opera, Livermore Valley Opera, and the Jacksonville Symphony.