MarinaViotti

Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti, described by the New York Times as ‘the opera star with heavy-metal chops’, has established herself as a commanding presence on the international stage. Her operatic engagements include leading roles at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Teatro Real Madrid, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona and Berlin Staatsoper, while a high-profile appearance opening the Paris 2024 Olympics – performing ‘Ah! Ça Ira’ with Gojira before delivering the Habanera from Carmen – brought her artistry to a global audience. Her remarkable versatility encompasses Baroque, bel canto and operetta as well as recital repertoire ranging from Ravel and Poulenc to Weill and Jacques Brel.

The 2026/27 season sees Marina return to the Bayerische Staatsoper to sing Juno Semele, Rosina Barbiere and Charlotte in a new production of Werther; to the Opéra national de Paris to sing Rosina; and to Opera Lausanne to sing Romeo in a new production of Bellini I Capuleti. She will also return to Teatro Real Madrid to sing Rosina in a new production of Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Highlights of the 25/26 season included her return to Opernhaus Zurich to sing Prince Orlofsky Die Fledermaus; to the Berlin Staatsoper as Rosina Il barbiere in Siviglia; and to the Salzburg Festival to sing Marchesa Melibea in Rossini Il viaggio a Reims directed by Barrie Kosky; and performances of Carmen, one of her signature roles, for Dallas Opera and the Greek National Opera.

Her creative and original approach to recital programming has made her a highly sought-after recitalist, with appearances at venues and festivals including the Gstaad New Year Music Festival, the Biarritz Piano Festival, Opera du Rhin and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. This season she will bring her programme ‘About Last Night’, with repertoire ranging from jazz to cabaret and French chanson, to La Monnaie and KKL Luzern.

Marina Viotti initially studied flute, experimented with jazz, gospel and heavy metal, and completed a Master’s degree in philosophy and literature, before studying singing with Heidi Brunner in Vienna and Brigitte Balleys in Lausanne, and completing her bel canto training with Raúl Giménez.

In 2025 she was awarded ‘Chevalière de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French Ministry of Culture.