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Soprano Cecilia Violetta López

Introduction to Cecilia Violetta López. 0:58 sec. Interview: Raymond Elman + Cindy Sadler. Post-Production: Gabriela Fuentes-Villafane. Recorded via ZOOM. 8/23/2023, Miami.

CECILIA VIOLETTA LÓPEZ was named one of “Idaho’s Top 10 Most Influential Women of the Century” by USA Today and one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.

Born in Rupert, Idaho, Mexican-American Cecilia Violetta López has received accolades for her signature role of Violetta in “La Traviata,” which she has performed countless times throughout North America. She has performed the role with Minnesota Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Tampa, Opera Idaho, Ash Lawn Opera, The Northern Lights Music Festival, Madison Opera, Pacific Symphony, and Virginia Opera.

In 2023, she will be performing in “La Traviata” at Florida Grand Opera in Miami on November 11, 12, and 14, and in Fort Lauderdale November 30 and December 2.

In past seasons, Ms. López performed Adina in “L’elisir d’amore” with Opera Idaho, Virginia Opera and Opera Las Vegas, the title role in Massenet’s “Manon” with Opera Idaho, Nedda in “Pagliacci” with Opera Colorado, Desdemona in Rossini’s “Otello” with Loft Opera, Maria in “West Side Story” with Opera Idaho, Marguerite in “Faust” with Opera Omaha, Mimì in “La bohème” with Opera Orlando, Rosalba in “Florencia en el Amazonas” with Florida Grand Opera, Beatrice Russo in “Il Postino” with Opera Southwest and Opera Saratoga, Rosina in “The Barber of Seville,” Fiordiligi in “Così fan tutte,” and Contessa in Le nozze “Figaro” with Opera Tampa, Hanna Glawari in “The Merry Widow” with Opera Saratoga, Lucy in “Fellow Travelers” with Prototype Opera Festival, the title role of Suor Angelica with Opera San Luis Obispo, Magda in “La rondine” with Skylark Opera Theatre, Gilda in “Rigoletto” with Opera Idaho, and Zerlina in “Don Giovanni” with Opera Tampa and Opera Las Vegas. She appeared as Micaëla in “Carmen” in her house debut with Michigan Opera Theatre, Blanche in “Dialogues des Carmélites” and Rosalinde in “Die Fledermaus” with Eugene Opera.

López was also a soloist in Opera Orlando’s One Voice Benefit Concert in Orlando, Florida, where proceeds benefited those affected by the tragedy at the Pulse Night Club shooting. López was also a guest speaker at the 2017 California State Annual Migrant Parent and Student Conference, sharing her story and musical talents with people of similar backgrounds.

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 11 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 3:29 min.

Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

EMPATHY: 0:46 sec.

How did growing up in a small town like Rupert, Idaho affect you?

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED: 6:21 min.

What was it like growing up in Rupert, Idaho, in an undocumented, immigrant, Mexican family?

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 3:18 min.

ArtSpeak interviewed operatic tenor Arturo Chacón Cruz, who grew up listening to mariachi music and singing it professionally in Mexico, before becoming an opera singer. He says there are many similarities between opera and mariachi. Do you agree?

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 1:31 min.