Met Opera’s La Bohème Star Juliana Grigoryan Talks Travel And Opera

After making her Met debut as Liù in Turandot to critical acclaim, rising soprano superstar Juliana Grigoryan makes her Met role debut as Mimì in Zeffirelli’s iconic production of La Bohème. The November 8 performance also marks Grigoryan’s Live in HD debut. You can see Juliana in Puccini’s La Bohème, streaming Live in HD to cinemas around the world on Saturday, November 8 at 1:00PM ET.

Hailing from Yerevan, Armenia, she has performed at top stages worldwide including the Teatro alla Scala, The Royal Opera House, Staatsoper Berlin, and more. The singer graduated from the Yerevan State Conservatory, and in 2024, was awarded the Hilde Behrens Prize to celebrate the 87th anniversary of Behrens’ birth.

I sat down with the Armenian star to discuss her love for her family, her favorite aria’s, and more.

My favorite opera (that’s not my own):

What a wonderful question! It immediately takes me back to my student years. Iremember being absolutely fascinated by tenor roles; I was secretly dreaming of singing Cavaradossi’s aria from Tosca myself. I even imagined organizing a concert where all of us conservatory students could perform our favorite arias freely, just for the love of it. The idea was never realized, but that dream still lives warmly in my memory and always makes me smile.

My pre-performance ritual:

Before every performance, I like to speak with my mother, even if only for a fewminutes. Then I close my eyes and give thanks for the chance to sing. Sometimes I whisper a short prayer. It’s not superstition, it’s a reminder to sing with love and to give my whole self to the audience, who, in these difficult times, remain faithful to the great art of opera and come to the theater in search of wonder, emotion, and peace.

After a performance, I:

Always feel lightness and gratitude, as if I have shared a part of my soul. I mentally thank the orchestra, the audience, and everyone who listened with an open heart. Afterwards, I need a little silence to calm my own heart. I continue to hear the musicwithin me for a long time and smile, because I truly lived those minutes on stage.

My favorite type of audience (the ones who do something):

My favorite type of audience is the one that doesn’t just watch, but feels, lives through every moment, reacts, smiles, sighs, nods, experiences everything together with the stage, and then shares their emotions, asks questions, or gets inspired to take action themselves. Such an audience turns a performance into a living dialogue, wheremusic and emotions gain new meaning.

My advice to those going to the opera for the first time:

I remember how my mother taught me from childhood to arrive at the theater early. This allowed us to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. I also recommend getting familiar with the libretto in advance. You can also listen to the main arias and duets, so that during the performance, the familiar melodies enhance your emotional experience.

How to get the most out of an opera performance:

I would advise watching not only the soloists, but also the orchestra, the scenery, and the movement of the chorus. It’s so beautiful. There are so many talented musicians and artists working together to make the performance happen. I’m always deeply grateful to these people on stage. It’s the combined effort of everyone that creates a magnificent spectacle, capable of making your evening truly special and inspiring you toward kindness and good deeds.

My favorite restaurant near the Metropolitan Opera:

It’s that bench across from the theater, where I love to sit and look at the magical lights of the opera house, savoring my hot chocolate, breathing in the magic and grandeur that fill my heart with love and gratitude! But after the performance, I, of course, have dinner with my wonderful colleagues at Café Fiorello, the restaurant by Lincoln Center.

The morning after a big performance, I…

I reflect on my performance and write down my feelings, such as moments of joy or challenge. Sometimes I take a walk in the fresh air; it helps me step out of the stage’s energy and gently return to normal life.

My favorite way to relieve stress:

I should probably say that I practice yoga and pranayama, but if I’m not at home, I just go shopping! I also love visiting museums, watching old films, and sometimes reading. When I am back home, I go out with my family into nature, to our beautiful Lake Sevan, where the water speaks my native language. These are my sacred places of power, where there is no stress, only love.

The place I most love to travel for work:

To the sea, especially when it’s warm and I can swim! Although once I actually missed a performance because of the sea! I had spent too long in the sun, then flew to another country and felt unwell right before going on stage.

My favorite place in my hometown:

My home, my family, who always wait for me with such longing. My home, even though for the third year in a row I haven’t managed to be there for Christmas (I miss it so much). Unfortunately, I can’t visit as often as I’d like. Mom, I love you so much, and I’m endlessly grateful for everything.