Operalia was founded in 1993 by Plácido Domingo to discover and honor the best new young Opera singers of today. Its annual competition is widely considered one of the most prestigious and competitive operatic showcases in the world. This year’s competition was held in Riga, Latvia.

Maire Therese Carmack. Photo ©Nadine Sherman

Ms. Carmack, a mezzo-soprano, was a Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Notable roles included Dorabella in Così fan tutte, where onStage Pittsburgh said she “sang with a velvety mezzo-soprano tone that was quite lovely,” and Juno in Semele, where Opera News said she “used her wide coloristic range to expressive advantage.” Her Residency was generously sponsored by Hans and Leslie Fleischner.

Simplify qualifying for Operalia is a significant accomplishment for any singer. Advancing through multiple rounds to be named a finalist, and then winning a prize in the finals, puts a singer in rarefied air.

“We couldn’t be happier for Therese” says Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn. “She is talented, hard-working, and a joy to be around. Therese made the most of her tenure here as a Resident Artist, and we are thrilled to see her career advancing so rapidly.”

From Latvia, Ms. Carmack shared “I’m so grateful to the countless coaches, teachers, and mentors who invested in me and trained me to where I felt comfortable and expressive on that stage.”

Ms. Carmack is in the midst of a year-long tenure with Deutsche Oper Berlin, where she made her European debut in the title role of Carmen as part of the company’s Cultural Summer Festival. Later this season she will make her Carnegie Hall debut as a participant in Renée Fleming’s SongStudio.

Categories: Arts and Ideas

Tags: Christopher Hahn, Maire Therese Carmack