Meet the Performer | Michelle Johnson

March 2025—Michelle Johnson, a soprano of extraordinary talent and acclaim, has captivated audiences worldwide with her mesmerizing performances. As a Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she has been hailed by critics as “a clear audience favorite,” lauded for her impeccable breath control and velvety voice that effortlessly transports listeners into a realm of musical splendor. 

During her 2023-2024 season, she enraptured audiences as Tosca with Madison Opera, returned to Chicago Opera Theater in Shostakovich’s The Nose, debuted with Florentine Opera as Mimì in La bohème, and performed a Love Songs for Valentine’s Day concert with Lyric Fest. Closing out the season, she returned to the role of Turandot with Opera Delaware.

Ms. Johnson has also made a name for herself as one of the most in demand Aida’s in the opera world today, performing Verdi’s tragic heroine with Glimmerglass Music Festival, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Columbus, Knoxville Opera, Opera Idaho, and Sarasota Opera, among others. A favorite of many houses, past opera credits include Madame Lidoine in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Leonora in Il trovatore, Minnie in La Fanciulla del West, Élisabeth de Valois in Don Carlos, the title role in Manon Lescaut, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, the title role in Suor Angelica, Zemfira in Aleko, Leonora in Oberto, the Countess in Capriccio, and Alice Ford in Falstaff.  Adept in verismo repertoire as well, Ms. Johnson performed the title roles in the rarely performed Sakuntala and Fedora with Teatro Grattacielo.

Beyond the opera stage, Michelle shines as a concert artist, captivating audiences with her luminous voice and emotive performances. Highlights include her renditions of Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, and Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder with esteemed orchestras worldwide. She has also collaborated with renowned conductors for special concerts, including an all-French Opera concert with Maestro Michel Plasson in Montpellier, France, and an all-Verdi concert with The Princeton Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rossen Milanov.

Johnson’s talent has been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the Giulio Gari Foundation. To see Johnson’s performance as Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro at Sarasota Opera, call 941.328.1300 to purchase tickets or visit sarasotaopera.org to learn more.