YI LI
TENOR
BIOGRAPHY
Proving himself a formidable talent and a rising star to watch in the opera world, Tenor Yi Li is quickly gaining attention across the globe. Recently, Li debuted the role of Cheng Quing in Meredith Monk’s ATLAS with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and moved into bigger repertoire – debuting the role of Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West in Maryland Lyric Opera’s inaugural season. Mr. Li subsequently returned there as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor and Turridu/Luigi in Il Tabarro/Cavalleria Rusticana, as well as The Metropolitan Opera as the Young Lover in Il tabarro.
Engagements last season included a return to Maryland Lyric Opera for Turandot – singing Pang and covering Calaf, the China Now Music Festival as Danny in An American Soldier, a house debut at Opera Tampa as Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana, the tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at Jackson Symphony, Angel Island Oratorio at the Sante Fe Opera, and a gala concert for the 10th Anniversary of Finger Lakes Opera. This season, Li will return to Maryland Lyric Opera for as Fenton in Falstaff and Cassio in Otello, perform as a soloist in Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion with the Seattle Symphony, rejoin the China Now Music Festival in partnership with Bard College, and sing Handel’s Messiah with the Naples Philharmonic. Future engagements include a return to the role of Rodolfo in La bohème. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"...delicate and tender...” – The Blade
The Pearl Fishers – “Li’s second act sotto voce work in the upper tessitura was delicate and tender”
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"...standout..." – Bachtrack
Monk'sAtlas – "Yi Li was another standout as the endearing traveller Cheng..."
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"...smooth and ringing..." – New York Classical Review
Paradise Interrupted – “Yi Li’s tenor was smooth and ringing as the Lover.”
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"...bright, tenor..." – Schmopera
Don Giovanni – "I actually did quite enjoy Yi Li singing Don Ottavio’s Act Two aria, “Il mio tesoro”. His voice is an exciting mix of bright, tenor placement with baritone heft..."