Biography
Learn more about Denis Vélez
Denis Vélez, a soprano from Puebla, Mexico, is one of the most outstanding voices of her generation. A graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, she has captivated audiences on both national and international stages, performing some of the most iconic roles in the operatic repertoire.
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Has performed on stages such as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Palacio de Bellas Artes,Sala Nezahualcóyotl, and Wolftrap Opera. Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (2020) and the Carlo Morelli National Singing Competition (2019), she is recognized as one of the most exciting Mexican voices in opera today.
In 2023, Denis made her debut with Opera de Bellas Artes, portraying Rosalba in Florencia en el Amazonas by Mexican composer Daniel Catán, a production that solidified her presence in the country’s operatic scene. That same year, she performed the role of Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Wolf Trap Opera, and was invited by the prestigious San Francisco Opera —one of the most important opera houses in the United States— to serve as the cover for the role of La Catrina, marking a significant milestone in her international career. During 2024, she debuted with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra of the Arts (OSSLA), and the Chihuahua Philharmonic Orchestra, participating in a Verdi Opera Gala.
Throughout her career, Denis Vélez has been recognized for her luminous voice, stage presence, and expressive artistry—qualities that have led her to work with renowned conductors and opera companies. Her artistic commitment and passion for performance position her as one of Mexico’s most promising sopranos and a true ambassador of national opera on the world stage.
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Currently, her international career includes collaborations with Chicago Opera Theater, performing in Falstaff by Antonio Salieri (December 2025), as well as a participation with The Joffrey Ballet in Broken Wings by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, at the Harris Theater in Chicago. She will also make a featured appearance in Illuminate, presented by Luminarts Artistic Fellows, on October 17, highlighting her continued artistic presence in the United States.
