Angel Blue, soprano superstar and Los Angeles native, stars in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Verdi’s Aida, streaming Live in HD to cinemas around the world on Saturday, January 25 at 12:30 PM ET.
In addition to her long-awaited Met role debut as the Ethiopian princess, Aida, Blue also starred in Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar this past Fall at the Met, in a leading role as Margarita Xirgu.
This is a singer with some serious accolades: in 2020, Blue won the highly coveted Beverly Sills Award from the Met, and in 2022, she won the Richard Tucker Award, which honors a singer who has reached a mastery level of artistic accomplishment, on the verge of a global career. Blue has won two Grammy Awards, one for Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess, as well as Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones (both for Best Opera Recording).
A former beauty pageant champion, she’s held the title of Miss Hollywood as well as 2nd runner up for Miss California.
I interviewed the multi-faceted performer on her favorite opera, her thoughts on traveling for work, where she grabs a bite around the Met, and more.
My favorite opera that’s not my own: Turandot. I have sang the role of Liù, but Turandot is a dream role of mine.
My pre-performance ritual: I try not to do anything on the day of a performance. I stretch and do some light exercise in the morning/afternoon. I warm up around 5 hours before the start of the show. I’m quiet between that warmup and the warmup in the dressing room. I stand in a power pose for 2 minutes and repeat Philippians 4:13. Sometimes I look at the music and say a prayer, then I’m ready to go.
After a performance, I: Just want to be alone, ha! Not in a bad way, but I’ve put so much of myself into the performance that I usually am almost running away from the theater to get home and rest.
My favorite kind of operagoer (does what): Enjoys the show! I love the people who come to the opera and are there to be entertained. They just want to have a good time, and I want them to have a good time! Hopefully, I can help in making the evening or matinee special for them. Just have fun. You’re sitting for a good 2 – 4 hours, so enjoy yourself!
My role model in business is: My role model in business (and in life) is my husband. Of course I could mention someone in the opera field. However, I’ve learned more about my job as a singer through my husband. The way my husband has managed his 20 + year career as a software developer is admirable. His work is constantly evolving, and he has to stay current with industry standards. He is passionate about his work and it shows in his performance; I hope to do the same as a singer. We are constantly learning and that is one of the best and most important parts of our jobs.
The best piece of career advice I’ve gotten: Treat others how you want to be treated!
Get the most out of an opera by: Go with no expectations! Just go to be entertained. It’s an afternoon or night out, so just have fun and enjoy yourself. Go with friends or someone you like to be with and have a good time. Also, read the synopsis beforehand!
The Restaurant I love most near the Met is: THE SMITH and CAFE FIORELLO’S! These two restaurants have been my go-to restaurants for nearly the past decade. I love the staff, the atmosphere, the food, etc. Both places embody what I love most about New York City…good people, good food, good conversation, and good times.
The morning after a big performance, I: Take my 13-year-old to school, have coffee with my husband, and then I go back to sleep!
My preferred way to destress is to: I try to get a decent amount of sleep and exercise. I pray frequently and try not to worry about things I cannot change.
The destination I love to travel to most for work is: This is a beautiful question. I’ve had the pleasure of singing in over 40 countries, all of which have left an imprint on my heart. In the next few months, I’ll travel to sing in Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy, and Brazil. Three months ago, I was singing in Denmark and India. The world is such an amazing place, I love to travel for work and meet people. What a blessing! My husband and I often find ourselves leaving a country and saying, “Oh yeah, we could totally retire there.” I suppose my favorite place to travel is wherever I am.
This post was originally published on here
