In our newest, exclusive Q&A series #BehindtheCurtain, we’re going ‘backstage’ to ask Canadian opera artists to share their journey and what inspires them. In this installment, Irish-Canadian mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta shares a moment in her career when she faced uncertainty — and how she persevered.
Irish-Canadian mezzo Wallis Giunta is the 2018 International Opera Awards “Young Singer of the Year”, and was named both “Young Artist of the Year” by The Arts Desk and “Breakthrough Artist in UK Opera” by What’s On Stage Opera Awards. Her international career has included leading roles at many of the world’s leading opera houses, including The Canadian Opera Company, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Opéra national de Montpellier, and many more.
Upcoming engagements for Giunta include debuts with Opéra national de Montpellier as Angelina/La Cenerentola, with the Philharmonia Baroque as Tigrane/Radamisto, with the Melk Baroque Festival as Purcell’s Dido, and with The Dallas Opera as Rosina/Il Barbiere di Siviglia. She also returns to Opéra de Lyon as Maria de Buenos Aires and to the BBC Proms Festival in recital with guitarist Sean Shibe. More information about her upcoming schedule here.
Watch & listen to her full answer below!
Readers, which Canadian artists do you want to see featured in our #BehindtheCurtain series? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch at outreach@operacanada.ca.
Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
