"the radiant young soprano... floated velvet-gloved high notes"
"Best among the women, however, was newcomer Rachel Blaustein, who made a sensational company debut as Nannetta. The radiant young soprano... floated velvet-gloved high notes in this crucial role. She flirted innocently in the stolen moments with her lover, Fenton, and made a resplendent fairy queen in the opera’s gorgeous final scene."
Washington Classical Review
About Rachel
German-American Soprano Rachel Blaustein was recently named a Grand Finalist in the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. Rachel's 24/25 varied season includes her debut with Austin Opera in the role of Jocelyn Jordan in The Manchurian Candidate, the titular role in Rusalka with Pacific Opera Project, her debut with South Florida Symphony Orchestra in Handel's Messiah, and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Mississippi. She finishes out the season in her role and house debut with Cincinnati Opera as Hodel in a new production of Fiddler on the Roof in summer 2025. Crystal Manich directs; Levi Hammer conducts. Last season, Rachel made her role debut as Gilda in Rigoletto with Opera Delaware and Opera Baltimore to great acclaim. She joined The Metropolitan Opera for the workshop of Mason Bates' upcoming premiere The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay in the role of Sarah Kavalier, covered Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel) with Opera Tampa and sang Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw with Opera Ithaca. In concert, she appeared with Opera Omaha, in recital with Academy Art Museum, and as the soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
In previous seasons, Rachel sang Laura Brown in The Metropolitan Opera's workshop of The Hours, debuted with Maryland Lyric Opera as Nannetta (Falstaff) and Annapolis Opera as Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro). She originated the role of Micól Finzi-Contini in Ricky Ian Gordon's world premiere, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis with New York City Opera. She made her Santa Fe Opera debut in 2021 as Autonoe in John Corigliano's world premiere, The Lord of Cries and reprised and recorded the role with Boston Modern Orchestra Project and Pentatone Music which went on to recieve a 2024 Grammy Nomination for Best Opera Recording.
