The Met Opera’s ‘Madam Butterfly’ Star Asmik Grigorian On Travel And Opera

International operatic soprano Asmik Grigorian makes her Metropolitan Opera debut this spring, starring as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Her performance on Saturday, May 11 at 12:55 PM ET will stream live to movie theaters around the world.

Grigorian is well-versed in the role, having played the same character in London at the Royal Opera House just prior to her MET performance.

The Vilnius, Lithuania native Grigorian was born into a musical family as the daughter of Armenian tenor Gegham Grigoryan and the Lithuanian soprano Irena Milkevičiūtė.

Today, she’s a renowned opera singer in her own right.

I interviewed Grigorian recently about her pre-performance rituals, her favorite travel destinations and more.

My favorite opera that’s not my own is:

It depends on my mood!

My pre-performance ritual:

Warm-up my voice, text with loved ones, and try to calm my stage fright!

After a performance, I…

I usually go home to my daughter, or eat dinner with friends and colleagues. It takes me a while to calm down after a performance, so I can’t go straight to bed!

My favorite kind of operagoer:

Comes to the opera with an open mind and spirit, ready to experience what the performance will be that night.

My role model in business is:

I never had one…but my parents had a very big impact. My father was a tenor, and my mother was a soprano. Music was always a part of our lives, and I started playing piano at age five, but, I didn’t know that I wanted to be an opera singer. I never really thought about having a career…I was thinking about becoming the best I can be.

Get the most out of an opera by…

Feeling the message that the music has for you.

The restaurant I love most near the MET is…

Sushi Yasaka! I love Japanese food and had such a great time performing in Japan recently!

The morning after a big performance, I…

Try to sleep in! It can be hard to rest after the experience of performing, and all of the adrenaline, but I am happy when I manage to rest and recuperate.

My preferred way to destress is…

To be in nature. I grew up in a city, so nature is both calming and exotic to me at the same time.

The destination I love to travel to most for work is…

I actually choose my work destinations based on the artistic team and the project, rather than the location. I spend so much time in the theater working that this is really important! I am always happy if a place is warm and has sun; I love that!

My favorite spot in New York is…

Central Park. I love being in nature – especially in spring, and I am happy that the park is near the Met!