Sun-Ly Pierce Mezzo-Soprano

“Mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as Cherubino laps up this trouser role as if she were born for it. One of the only truly standout voices of the show, her bell-like uppermost range was able to match the gorgeous pulsing maximalism of the orchestration.”

-Parterre (The Marriage of Figaro, The Metropolitan Opera)

American-Chinese mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, Third Prize Winner of the 2024 Operalia competition, is rapidly establishing herself as a versatile and dynamic artist in both traditional and contemporary repertoire.

Sun-Ly’s 26/27 season begins with her return to Houston Grand Opera for Faust(Siebel) and Boston Lyric Opera for Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino). Other highlights of the season include Handel’s Messiah with Boston Baroque and theHouston Symphony, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Mozart's Requiem and Mass in C minor on tour with Les Musiciens du Louvre. She also returns to the stage at Carnegie Hall for a solo recital presented by the Music Academy of the West. Sun-Ly concludes the season at The Santa Fe Opera in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina). Future engagements include leading roles at the New National Theatre Tokyo, Houston Grand Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera…

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On Stage

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July 3, 2026 – August 30, 2026

Santa Fe Opera

Madama Butterfly (Suzuki)

July 3, 2026 – August 30, 2026

Santa Fe Opera

Sun-Ly debuts at the Santa Fe Opera in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. John Fiore conducts.

Performances: 7/3, 7/8, 7/11, 7/17, 7/24, 8/3, 8/8, 8/10, 8/15, 8/20, 8/26, 8/29

July 3, 2026 – August 30, 2026

Santa Fe Opera

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"Sun-Ly Pierce as Cherubino laps up this trouser role as if she were born for it. One of the only truly standout voices of the show, her bell-like uppermost range was able to match the gorgeous pulsing maximalism of the orchestration."

Parterre (The Marriage of Figaro, The Metropolitan Opera)
"As her suitor, the Fox, Sun-Ly Pierce showed off a velvety mezzo-soprano that luxuriated in the playful phrases... Ms. Pierce has a remarkably warm, evenly produced instrument, and when the romance proceeds into a radiant love duet, she partnered with Ms. Park to produce musical moments of uncommon beauty."

Opera Today (The Cunning Little Vixen, Des Moines Metro Opera)
...From the first rich rolling tones of the piece, she made our eyes open wide. By the time she got to the coloratura, roulades, and all, we knew hers was going to be a definitive interpretation of not just the aria, but the role. Ms. Pierce went from strength to strength, totally inhabiting the part, and ravishing us with stellar vocalizing. Moreover, she is not only effortlessly funny, she is unfailingly lovely. There is a big career ahead."

Opera Today (Barber of Seville, Des Moines Metro Opera)
"Best of a universally pleasing cast was Sun-Ly Pierce, a visually credible Siébel whose even, fine-timbred mezzo projected clearly throughout her range."

Opera Magazine with Opera News (Faust, Berkshire Opera Festival)
“The finest performance in a good ensemble effort was Sun-Ly Pierce’s impassioned Bertarido —untraditionally and logically played as haggard and exhausted from his travails— immaculately phrased in a beautiful dark lyric mezzo."

Opera Magazine with Opera News (Rodelinda, Hudson Hall)
“Mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce treated the trouser role of Stephano, one of Romeo’s pals, to a lustrous voice and breezy demeanor.”

Texas Classical Review (Roméo et Juliette, Houston Grand Opera)
“The role of Laurene, played by Chinese-American mezzo soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, is a substantial one in the opera and needs much vocal finesse. It was performed with excellent dramatic sensitivity and vocal control, and Pierce received a very substantial applause from the audience for her portrayal.”

Opera Canada (The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Calgary Opera)
“Sun-Ly was utterly convincing as Romilda’s dashing beloved Arsamene, with her lush, flexible mezzo-soprano, insightful musicianship and expert pants-role swagger.”

Opera News (Xerxes, Detroit Opera)
“Her thoughtful and graceful performance was apt to the tone of the production, not strident, not aggressive, but tasteful and thoughtful.”

OperaWire (Dream of the Red Chamber, San Francisco Opera)

“Mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as Cherubino laps up this trouser role as if she were born for it. One of the only truly standout voices of the show, her bell-like uppermost range was able to match the gorgeous pulsing maximalism of the orchestration.”

American-Chinese mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, Third Prize Winner of the 2024 Operalia competition, is rapidly establishing herself as a versatile and dynamic artist in both traditional and contemporary repertoire.

On Stage

"Sun-Ly Pierce as Cherubino laps up this trouser role as if she were born for it. One of the only truly standout voices of the show, her bell-like uppermost range was able to match the gorgeous pulsing maximalism of the orchestration."

"Best of a universally pleasing cast was Sun-Ly Pierce, a visually credible Siébel whose even, fine-timbred mezzo projected clearly throughout her range."

“The finest performance in a good ensemble effort was Sun-Ly Pierce’s impassioned Bertarido —untraditionally and logically played as haggard and exhausted from his travails— immaculately phrased in a beautiful dark lyric mezzo."

“Mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce treated the trouser role of Stephano, one of Romeo’s pals, to a lustrous voice and breezy demeanor.”

“Sun-Ly was utterly convincing as Romilda’s dashing beloved Arsamene, with her lush, flexible mezzo-soprano, insightful musicianship and expert pants-role swagger.”

“Her thoughtful and graceful performance was apt to the tone of the production, not strident, not aggressive, but tasteful and thoughtful.”

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