Ailyn Pérez has carved her name in gold in the opera world while proudly honoring her Mexican roots. Gifted with a voice that commands attention and a presence that radiates passion, Pérez has become a beloved figure on the grandest stages across the United States and Europe. In 2023, she starred in "Florencia en el Amazonas," making history in the first Spanish-language opera performed at New York’s Lincoln Center in over a century.
© Catherine PisaroniBorn in Chicago to parents from Jalisco, Mexico, Ailyn grew up in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, where music became her safe space. As a child navigating a world where few shared her cultural background, she found refuge in singing. From Disney soundtracks like "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" to impromptu family karaoke sessions, Ailyn turned to music to stay connected with her roots, with Spanish becoming the language that she often chose to sing in.
“We are here, and we belong. Trust your stories. Trust that you have a voice. And trust that music will always create a space for you. That’s something I had to learn and practice—but I’m so grateful I did.”
Her journey into the world of classical music started with a recorder in elementary school, followed by stints in her school’s band and orchestra. But everything changed when she was 14 and wanted to audition for the school musical. The catch? She had to take voice lessons. Her teacher, an opera singer himself, was stunned when Aylin sang Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro.” He began assigning her operatic arias, opening a door to a whole new world.
© Dario AcostaFrom there on, Ailyn dove headfirst into musical theater and opera. “I think we all meet someone in our teens who sees something in us—who nurtures it and teaches us how to grow. For me, that was Carl and Mr. Swanson, my music teachers,” she said.
While her family had concerns about making a living while working in the arts, they never stopped supporting her. She graduated from the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
“Arts education shaped my life. Music brings a sense of belonging, discipline, imagination—and a way to bring people together. It’s essential.”
Her big breakthrough came when she starred as Violetta in "La Traviata" in various prestigious stages, including the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, the Hamburg State Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and London’s Royal Opera House. In 2010, she sang Mimì in "La Bohème" in Cincinnati, and in 2016, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in that same role. She reprised it in 2024, in the iconic Franco Zeffirelli production. Through the years, she's worked with beloved personalities like Plácido Domingo, performing alongside him in "Simon Boccanegra" in 2020 and "Rigoletto" in 2011.
© Evan ZimmermanBut it was "Florencia en el Amazonas," the lush opera by Mexican composer Daniel Catán, that marked a before-and-after moment in her career. Taking the lead role in a Spanish-language opera at the Met was more than a performance; it was a cultural milestone. “It was a gift. It allowed our culture to be seen and celebrated. It was a true honor,” she said.
Offstage, Pérez is just as impactful as she is professionally. She serves as an artistic advisor and faculty member at the Vincerò Academy and is an ambassador for Opera for Peace. Her accolades include the Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award (2016), the George London Foundation’s Leonie Rysanek Award (2006), and second place in the Operalia Competition (2006), among others.
