Hye Jung Lee

Korean soprano Hye Jung Lee, praised by The New York Times as “the most striking singer” of the evening for her “sweet and focused” voice with “considerable power,” enjoys a dynamic and far-ranging international career. Her recent highlights include starring as Ah Sing in John Adams’s Girls of the Golden West with the LA Phil; the Nonesuch recording of this production earned nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording and Best Engineered Album.

Ms. Lee has graced the stages of premier opera houses worldwide, offering acclaimed portrayals of Olympia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Madame Mao (Nixon in China), and Fiakermilli (Arabella). She notably sang the role of Ah Sing in the world premiere of Girls of the Golden West at San Francisco Opera under the direction of John Adams. Her diverse credits also include Gilda (Rigoletto) and Violetta (La Traviata) at Seoul Metropolitan Opera, and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Tytania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) at the Korea National Opera, alongside leading appearances with Theater Dortmund, Dutch National Opera, Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken, New Zealand Opera, Dayton Opera, and Florida Grand Opera.

During her time as an ensemble member at Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe, Ms. Lee’s artistry spanned a vast repertoire, including Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Norina (Don Pasquale), and Sandrina (La finta giardiniera), as well as appearing as the soprano soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. Previously, she was an ensemble member at Theater Kiel, where her leading roles included Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Adele (Die Fledermaus), and Königin der Nacht (Die Zauberflöte).

An accomplished concert and recital artist, Ms. Lee has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Seoul Arts Center, and Lotte Concert Hall. Her accolades include prizes at the ARD International Music Competition, the Maria Callas International Music Competition, the Shizuoka International Opera Competition; notably, she was a finalist representing South Korea in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. She holds degrees from Seoul National University, Hochschule für Musik Dresden, Mannes College of Music, and Indiana University. Ms. Lee currently serves as an assistant professor at Kookmin University in South Korea.