Michelle Johnson, a soprano of extraordinary talent and acclaim, has captivated audiences worldwide with her mesmerizing performances. As a Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she has been hailed by critics as "a clear audience favorite," lauded for her impeccable breath control and velvety voice that effortlessly transports listeners into a realm of musical splendor.
Michelle continues to grace prestigious stages with her exceptional talent in the 2023-2024 season. She is set to enrapture audiences as Tosca with Madison Opera, return to Chicago Opera Theater in Shostakovich’s The Nose, anticipates her debut with Florentine Opera as Mimì in La bohème, and performs a Love Songs for Valentine’s Day concert with Lyric Fest. Closing out the season brings a return to the role of Turandot with Opera Delaware.
In the 2022-2023 season, her versatility and artistry was showcased through a series of stellar performances. She portrayed iconic roles such as Tosca with Opera on the James, Mimì in La bohème with Nashville Opera, and Serena in Porgy and Bess with North Carolina Opera and Opera Carolina. Her portrayal of Aida with Opera Grand Rapids and her role debut as Turandot with Opera Southwest further solidified her status as a leading soprano in the opera world.
During Ms. Johnson’s 2021-2022 season, she graced the stage of Boston Lyric Opera, enthralling audiences with her portrayal of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, had a role debut with Opera Columbus as Tosca, portrayed the title role in Aida with Opera Carolina, performed as Mimì in La bohème with the Columbus Symphony, participated in Fort Worth Opera's Evening of Black Excellence, and returned to Boston Lyric Opera to cover Emelda Griffith in Terence Blanchard’s Champion. In the summer of 2022, Johnson ventured into new territory, captivating audiences at Des Moines Metro Opera with her portrayal of Bess in Porgy and Bess.
Ms. Johnson has also made a name for herself as one of the most in demand Aida’s in the opera world today, performing Verdi’s tragic heroine with Glimmerglass Music Festival, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Columbus, Knoxville Opera, Opera Idaho, and Sarasota Opera, among others. A favorite of many houses, past opera credits include Madame Lidoine in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Leonora in Il trovatore, Minnie in La Fanciulla del West, Élisabeth de Valois in Don Carlos, the title role in Manon Lescaut, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, the title role in Suor Angelica, Zemfira in Aleko, Leonora in Oberto, the Countess in Capriccio, and Alice Ford in Falstaff. Adept in verismo repertoire as well, Ms. Johnson performed the title roles in the rarely performed Sakuntala and Fedora with Teatro Grattacielo.
Beyond the opera stage, Michelle shines as a concert artist, captivating audiences with her luminous voice and emotive performances. Highlights include her renditions of Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, and Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder with esteemed orchestras worldwide. She has also collaborated with renowned conductors for special concerts, including an all-French Opera concert with Maestro Michel Plasson in Montpellier, France, and an all-Verdi concert with The Princeton Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rossen Milanov.
A distinguished alumna of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Boston University Opera Institute, and New England Conservatory, Johnson's talent has been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the Giulio Gari Foundation.
Michelle continues to grace prestigious stages with her exceptional talent in the 2023-2024 season. She is set to enrapture audiences as Tosca with Madison Opera, return to Chicago Opera Theater in Shostakovich’s The Nose, anticipates her debut with Florentine Opera as Mimì in La bohème, and performs a Love Songs for Valentine’s Day concert with Lyric Fest. Closing out the season brings a return to the role of Turandot with Opera Delaware.
In the 2022-2023 season, her versatility and artistry was showcased through a series of stellar performances. She portrayed iconic roles such as Tosca with Opera on the James, Mimì in La bohème with Nashville Opera, and Serena in Porgy and Bess with North Carolina Opera and Opera Carolina. Her portrayal of Aida with Opera Grand Rapids and her role debut as Turandot with Opera Southwest further solidified her status as a leading soprano in the opera world.
During Ms. Johnson’s 2021-2022 season, she graced the stage of Boston Lyric Opera, enthralling audiences with her portrayal of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, had a role debut with Opera Columbus as Tosca, portrayed the title role in Aida with Opera Carolina, performed as Mimì in La bohème with the Columbus Symphony, participated in Fort Worth Opera's Evening of Black Excellence, and returned to Boston Lyric Opera to cover Emelda Griffith in Terence Blanchard’s Champion. In the summer of 2022, Johnson ventured into new territory, captivating audiences at Des Moines Metro Opera with her portrayal of Bess in Porgy and Bess.
Ms. Johnson has also made a name for herself as one of the most in demand Aida’s in the opera world today, performing Verdi’s tragic heroine with Glimmerglass Music Festival, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Columbus, Knoxville Opera, Opera Idaho, and Sarasota Opera, among others. A favorite of many houses, past opera credits include Madame Lidoine in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Leonora in Il trovatore, Minnie in La Fanciulla del West, Élisabeth de Valois in Don Carlos, the title role in Manon Lescaut, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, the title role in Suor Angelica, Zemfira in Aleko, Leonora in Oberto, the Countess in Capriccio, and Alice Ford in Falstaff. Adept in verismo repertoire as well, Ms. Johnson performed the title roles in the rarely performed Sakuntala and Fedora with Teatro Grattacielo.
Beyond the opera stage, Michelle shines as a concert artist, captivating audiences with her luminous voice and emotive performances. Highlights include her renditions of Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, and Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder with esteemed orchestras worldwide. She has also collaborated with renowned conductors for special concerts, including an all-French Opera concert with Maestro Michel Plasson in Montpellier, France, and an all-Verdi concert with The Princeton Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rossen Milanov.
A distinguished alumna of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Boston University Opera Institute, and New England Conservatory, Johnson's talent has been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the Giulio Gari Foundation.