Estonian Soprano Miriam Mesak Makes US Debut in Title Role at Dallas Opera

Estonian soprano Mirjam Mesak made her US debut on 30 October at the Dallas Opera (Texas), singing the title role in Leoš Janáček's opera The Cunning Little Vixen. It is her first performance in the United States, and it matters both for her career and for the international profile of Estonian music.

Barrie Kosky's production is a joint project of the Bavarian State Opera, the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and the Dallas Opera. Mesak already knew the staging: at its 2022 Munich premiere she sang the innkeeper's wife and the jay. In Dallas she returned to the same production, this time in the lead role.

What Mesak said

The singer said she was familiar with Kosky's work and knew the part would not be easy, since the production is very demanding. She was pleasantly surprised by the Dallas Opera's warm welcome, thoughtful organisation and cohesive teamwork. She also thanked director Johannes Stepanek, who trusted her as an actress and gave her full creative freedom. Mesak added that her experience in the US had been exceptionally positive and that she was warmly received as the only non-American in the company.

Madli-Liis Parts, Estonia's cultural attaché in the United States, said the debut recognises Mesak's talent and consistent work, and opens new prospects for her in the US. Her participation in the prestigious Santa Fe Opera festival next summer confirms that her career here will continue.

Career and the Dallas Opera's history

A key pillar of Mesak's international career is the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, where she has been in the main ensemble since 2020. This followed studies at the company's opera studio from 2018 to 2020, as well as training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The Dallas Opera has operated as a professional opera company since 1957. Its early history was marked by a performance by Maria Callas, and several later stars made their US debuts on its stage, including Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé and Plácido Domingo.

Mesak can also be heard in Kosky's production at the Winspear Opera House on 4 and 7 November.