Asmik Grigorian as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s “Madam Butterfly”.
International operatic soprano Asmik Grigorian makes her Metropolitan Opera debut this spring, starring as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. His performance on Saturday, May 11 at 12:55 pm ET will be broadcast live in theaters around the world.
Grigorian is well-versed in the role, having played the same character in London at the Royal Opera House shortly before his MET performance.
Grigorian, a native of Vilnius, Lithuania, was born into a musical family, the daughter of Armenian tenor Gegham Grigoryan and Lithuanian soprano Irena Milkevičiūtė.
Today, she is a renowned opera singer.
I recently interviewed Grigorian about his pre-performance rituals, his favorite travel destinations, and more.
My favorite opera that isn’t mine is:
Depends on my humor!
My pre-performance ritual:
Warm up my voice, text loved ones and try to calm my stage fright!
After a presentation, I…
I usually go home with my daughter or have dinner with friends and colleagues. It takes me a while to calm down after a performance, so I can’t go straight to bed!
My favorite type of opera operator:
Arrive at the opera with an open mind and spirit, ready to experience what the performance will be like that night.
My business model is:
I never had one… but my parents had a huge impact. My father was a tenor and my mother was a soprano. Music has always been part of our lives and I started playing the piano when I was five, but I didn’t know I wanted to be an opera singer. I never really thought about having a career… I was thinking about becoming the best I can be.
Make the most of an opera…
Feeling the message the music has for you.
The restaurant I love most near the MET is…
Sushi Yasaka! I love Japanese food and had so much fun performing in Japan recently!
The morning after a big presentation, I…
Try to sleep late! It can be difficult to rest after the experience of acting and all the adrenaline, but I’m happy when I can rest and recover.
My favorite way to de-stress is…
Being in nature. I grew up in a city, so nature is both calming and exotic to me.
My favorite destination to travel to for work is…
In fact, I choose my work destinations based on the artistic team and the project, not the location. I spend so much time in the theater working that this is very important! I’m always happy when a place is warm and sunny; I love that!
My favorite place in New York is…
Central Park. I love being in nature – especially in the spring, and I’m glad the park is close to the Met!
