Rising Star: Tenor Xabier Anduaga Captivates Audiences at the Metropolitan Opera

The Rise of Xabier Anduaga: A New Tenor for the Ages

When tenor Xabier Anduaga first opened his mouth to sing for conductor Riccardo Frizza, it was as if the heavens had parted. Frizza recalls, “After two notes, I understood I was in front of something special. It’s one of the voices you find every 15 or 20 years.” At just 30 years old, Anduaga has already captivated audiences across Europe, and now he’s making waves in the United States, headlining the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Bellini’s La Sonnambula.

A Star is Born

Anduaga’s journey to stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, was left in awe during Anduaga’s house debut two seasons ago, stating, “I was quite frankly blown away by his sound.” This kind of praise is not easily earned, especially in the competitive world of opera.

In La Sonnambula, which runs through November 1, Anduaga stars alongside soprano Nadine Sierra, with Frizza conducting. The performance on October 18 was broadcast live in HD to theaters worldwide, marking a significant moment in Anduaga’s burgeoning career. While Sierra may have the final word with her stunning high F, Anduaga’s voice is a force to be reckoned with. As Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim noted in her New York Times review, “His tenor flows in endless legato, capable of thinning to a silken thread or blooming into ringing, plush fortissimos.”

From Boy Soprano to Tenor Extraordinaire

Born in San Sebastián, Spain, Anduaga’s musical journey began at the tender age of seven as a boy soprano in church. He quickly joined the Orfeón Donostiarra Choir, where he met Elena Barbé, who would later become not only his voice teacher but also his life partner.

However, the path to success was not without its challenges. After his voice changed, Anduaga faced difficulties at the conservatory, where he was pushed to take on roles that were too heavy for his light tenor voice. “After a month, I was, I can’t sing anymore,” he recalled. It was Barbé who guided him back to his natural singing style, helping him rediscover his potential.

A Leap of Faith

In 2016, at just 21, Anduaga found himself at the Rossini Festival in Pesaro, Italy. Shortly thereafter, he received an urgent call from the opera company in Bilbao, asking him to step in for a tenor who had canceled. With only a weekend to prepare, Anduaga was hesitant, but Barbé encouraged him to seize the opportunity. “She knows my potential better than I do,” he said, and with her guidance, he learned the entire role in just two days.

The Power of Partnership

Anduaga and Barbé’s relationship extends beyond the stage. Even as they navigate the challenges of marriage and parenthood, Barbé remains his most ardent supporter and critic. During a recent performance of Sonnambula, she discreetly texted him from the audience with notes on his performance, ensuring he stayed connected to her insights while captivating the audience.

Expanding Horizons

As Anduaga’s voice continues to evolve, he is branching out into different repertoires, adding lighter Verdi roles and exploring French operas like Massenet’s Werther and Gounod’s Faust. His versatility is drawing attention from opera houses around the world, with Joan Matabosch, artistic director at Teatro Real in Madrid, declaring him “the tenor of the future.”

However, Anduaga’s rising star means that booking him is becoming increasingly difficult. Gelb noted that the Met is having trouble securing his performances due to his high demand in Europe. As it stands, Anduaga is slated to return to the Met in the 2028-29 season for Rigoletto and Romeo et Juliette.

The Next Pavarotti?

While comparisons to legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti are inevitable, Anduaga remains humble. “It’s too big,” he said, dismissing the notion of being the “next Pavarotti.” Instead, he focuses on being the best version of himself, stating, “Let’s just say, it’s me — I’m the new me.”

As Xabier Anduaga continues to enchant audiences with his extraordinary talent, one thing is clear: the opera world is witnessing the emergence of a new star, and we can’t wait to see where his journey takes him next.