Third time’s a charm: Filipina mezzo-soprano bags NYC top prize
Filipino Chinese mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa was named one of the five national winners, among nine finalists, in the recently concluded 2025 Metropolitan Laffont Competition held at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
One of Cafritz Young Artists at the Washington National Opera, Mariposa is an award-winning mezzo-soprano, and is praised for her “rich, powerful mezzo” (Parterre Box), and “quicksilver coloratura, attention to detail, and spellbinding dramatic energy” (The Washington Post).
She has essayed roles in many operatic productions that earned critical acclaim, and is engaged in future productions come April and summer.
It was quite an exhilarating experience for her to go through the challenging stages of the competition. From some 1,500 singers who joined the tilt, she was lucky to be among the 20 semifinalists, and finally emerged as one of the five winners from nine finalists.
The final round was held at the prestigious Met Opera in New York City.
In a Messenger chat, she said that the competition moved from “district, to regional and national rounds!” The qualification round was done through video screening, and the semifinals was done with piano collaboration.
The final round was done at the Met in collaboration with its orchestra conducted no less by woman conductor Karen Kamensek.
Unforgettable
Mariposa wore a modern Filipiniana with terno sleeves, which she considered her lucky charm, in vibrant yellow-gold color, designed by couturier Frankie de Leon who hails from Bicol like her family!
She said singing at the Met—with its best acoustics—was an unforgettable experience. But it was nerve-wracking as each contestant was only given 90 seconds to do a sound check.
She further said that it was such a fulfilling experience to sing with the Met Orchestra under the baton of its titan woman conductor, as its musicians listen to the singer, ensuring a tight collaborative rapport. There was a “sense of calm,” she said, “once I stepped on the stage. The most nerve-wracking part was waiting in the wings to go on,” she elaborated, considering the fact that she was going to compete against “amazing singers.”
She sang “The Letter Scene” from “Werther” by Massenet.
Her starter was “Ah! Quel giorno ognor rammento” from Rossini’s “Semiramide,” which showcased her bel canto honing. Other pieces she sang through the tilt were “Wie du warst!” from Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” and “Give him this orchid” from Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia.”
Moral support was given by her mother, who flew all the way from Manila to watch her compete in the semifinals and the final round. Mariposa said her mom was always supportive of her becoming an opera singer, “even after pivoting from psychology” the first degree she earned at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, before she earned another bachelor’s degree in music, major in vocal performance, from the same university, both earning the highest honor of summa cum laude.
And she recalled the finals was held on her father’s fifth death anniversary, the “original music lover in the family,” who urged her to take piano lessons at an early age.
Of course, her boyfriend, a professional tennis player—who taught her to focus, and develop mental strength—was there, too. He was around giving her moral support practically throughout the entire competition.
Last chance
Mariposa added that this is the third time she has joined this competition. Two years ago (2022-2023 season), she competed in the district level but did not advance to the regional level. The following year, she won both the district and the Encouragement Award in the regional round but did not advance to the semifinal.
This was her last chance to join the competition as the age limit was set at 30 years old, and she turned 30 last January.
Indeed, she attained glory, in the fullness of time, as the Bible would say.
Mariposa is also a winner of the 2019 National Music Competitions for Young Artists in Manila, where she was also bestowed the Best Interpretation Award for the contest piece. She also bagged the top prize of the Lynne Cooper Harvey Foundation Award from the Musicians Club of Women 2024 Vocal Competition and the Sullivan Award from the Sullivan Foundation.
Mariposa completed her master’s degree in voice and opera performance at Northwestern University. Among her teachers in the United States were Stephen Smith, Mark Crayton, and Christopher Ong Arceo. At the UP College of Music, her teachers included Raymond Leslie Diaz, Ena Aldecoa, and Katherine Molina.
Mariposa hopes to sing in a recital once she comes back to Manila. For sure, this would be a big musical event.
Mabuhay, Michelle!
