World-renowned opera singer Asmik Grigorian performs in Riga for the first time with a symphony orchestra
On September 12, one of the world's most sought-after opera singers, Asmik Grigorian, performed for the first time in Riga with a symphony orchestra at the Congress Hall, singing arias from roles that brought her international fame. Latvian audiences remember her from her earlier years singing at the Latvian National Opera.
On September 12, Asmik Grigorian — one of today's most in-demand opera singers — gave a concert with a symphony orchestra at the Riga Congress Hall. The program featured arias from operas that have brought her worldwide recognition and appearances on some of the most prestigious stages.
Grigorian regularly performs at the Salzburg Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, Milan's Teatro alla Scala, and London's Royal Opera House. After her triumph in Salzburg in 2018, international media, including The New York Times, praised her performance. This past summer, on July 26, she sang the title role of Carmen for the first time at the Salzburg Festival.
Family and early career
Asmik Grigorian is the daughter of two singers — her father was Armenian tenor Gegam Grigorian, and her mother is Lithuanian soprano Irena Milkevičiūtė. Having grown up backstage at the Vilnius opera house, she learned vocal and artistic fundamentals from her parents. At age 22, she sang the role of Violetta in "La Traviata" in Vilnius, followed by her first contract abroad. On her path to international recognition, she had to rebuild her vocal technique to regain freedom and stability in her voice.
Awards and repertoire
Grigorian has been named Singer of the Year by both Opernwelt magazine and the Opus Klassik jury, received the International Opera Award, and earned top industry honors in Germany, Austria, and Lithuania. Her repertoire includes leading roles in operas by Puccini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Dvořák, and Wagner. She has worked with directors including Romeo Castellucci, Barrie Kosky, Dmitri Tcherniakov, and Krzysztof Warlikowski.
Latvian audiences remember Grigorian from her time singing at the Latvian National Opera under artistic director Andrejs Žagars, including roles in "Carmen," "Don Giovanni," and "Manon Lescaut," and she has twice performed in the gala concerts of the Sigulda Opera Music Festival.
