In a bold and highly anticipated career move, acclaimed soprano Asmik Grigorian is set to tackle one of opera's most iconic roles. The star singer will make her debut as the fiery gypsy Carmen in Georges Bizet's masterpiece at the prestigious Salzburg Festival in the summer of 2026.
A Vocal Leap into Legendary Territory
Grigorian, a celebrated dramatic soprano, will be singing the title role, which is traditionally a touchstone for mezzo-sopranos. She revealed her reasoning behind the decision, stating, "I thought if I want to do 'Carmen' I need to do it now because I don't want to do it when I will be 54." The singer is currently 44 years old.
This move places her among a select group of sopranos who have performed the role live. While legends like Maria Callas and Jessye Norman recorded the part, they never sang the complete role on stage. In recent years, sopranos such as Ana María Martínez and Danielle de Niese have performed Carmen, with Victoria de los Ángeles taking it on late in her career.
Salzburg Premiere and a Packed Season
Grigorian's debut as Carmen is scheduled for 26 July 2026. She will sing eight performances in a new production directed by Gabriela Carrizo. The cast will feature Jonathan Tetelman as Don José and Kristina Mkhitaryan as Micaëla, with Teodor Currentzis conducting the Utopia Orchestra.
The announcement comes as Grigorian maintains a formidable schedule. Her current season includes leading roles in Puccini's "Turandot" and "Manon Lescaut," as well as Richard Strauss's "Salome." She has also tentatively planned her first "Tristan und Isolde" for the Vienna State Opera in 2029.
Industry Acclaim and Inherent Challenges
Crossing vocal Fach boundaries can be controversial, but Grigorian has garnered strong support. Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, commented, "I would not bet against her. She's very much a kind of old-school singer. She's kind of fearless when it comes to taking on new repertoire."
Soprano Lisette Oropesa praised the decision, highlighting that if a star has the notes, personality, and desire, they should embrace the challenge. Ana María Martínez, who debuted as Carmen in 2014, offered insight, noting that the most intimidating aspect is not vocal but about commanding the stage. She predicted Grigorian will be "incredible in the role simply because of her presence on stage and her magnetism."
Despite the confidence of her peers, Grigorian approaches the role with characteristic humility. "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," she said, adding that she has already begun to "live that role day by day." Her debut is expected to be a major event in the 2026 classical music calendar.
