J’Nai sings the role of Lucinda in Jake Heggie and Gene Sheer’s latest masterpiece opera, ‘Intelligence’. This dramatic and beguiling Civil War opera unveils the true tale of heroism.
J'Nai
Bridges
News
2024
The Key to the City was presented to J'Nai Bridges in partnership with Symphony Tacoma. J'Nai began her musical journey right here in Tacoma, nurturing her passion for singing in the EP Williams Choir at Allen AME Church, Tacoma Youth Chorus, and Tacoma Opera. She has since grown into a two-time Grammy award winning and internationally renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer. We are proud of J’Nai for her contributions to Tacoma and the world of music.
IMG Artists is delighted to welcome the two-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges to our roster for general management! Ms. Bridges is represented by Executive Vice President and Global Head of Vocal Matthew Horner, Managing Director of IMG Artists Americas and Head of Vocal Booking Romana Jaroff and Senior Assistant Artist Manager Noah Sesling from the New York office.
During the 2024-25 season, J’Nai Bridges makes music by and with brilliant artists, including opening her season at the Metropolitan Opera in debuting the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto, making her hometown solo concert debut with Symphony Tacoma, a Seattle Opera return and role debut, concerts with National Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and making her much anticipated Wiener Staatsoper debut in her signature role of Bizet's Carmen, among many others- more dates to be announced throughout the season!
2023
During the 2023-24 season, J’Nai Bridges makes music by and with brilliant artists, with dates including starring in the world premiere of Intelligence by Jake Heggie at Houston Grand Opera, El Niño by John Adams at The Metropolitan Opera, Stabat Mater by Julia Perry with The New York Philharmonic, Carmen at Staatsoper Hamburg, among many others ‑ more dates to be announced throughout the season.
J’Nai Bridges 2023-24 Season Dates:
From HarrisonParrott:
Esteemed mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is one of the pre-eminent vocal talents of her generation and finds herself in high demand across the stages of the world’s finest opera houses, concert halls and recital venues. A strong voice in the conversation about inclusion and equality in the performing arts, Bridges was announced as one of Kennedy Center’s NEXT50 cultural leaders and has received a string of awards and prizes including two Grammys.
VOICE is delighted to welcome J’Nai Bridges to its roster.
You can read the full announcement by visiting the link below
“American Masters: In the Making†profiles performers breaking down barriers in music. Follow opera singer J’Nai Bridges as she prepares for “A Knee on the Neck,†a choral tribute to George Floyd.
Tony Award‒winning actress and singer Audra McDonald hosts the broadcast premiere of American Masters: In the Making, which premieres on Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS App.
The Lakewood City Council had the honor to recognize Grammy Award-winning opera singer J’Nai Bridges at its first meeting of the year. Bridges was presented with a proclamation, read by each member of the council, at the meeting.
Read the full story on Tacoma Weekly
2022
J’Nai Bridges is a featured soloist on the Grammy-nominated recording of Shawn Okpebholo’s “LORD, HOW COME ME HERE?†The album has been nominated in the “Best Classical Solo Vocal Album†category.
J’Nai Bridges is featured in Canada’s largest daily newspaper, the Toronto Star, where the Grammy winner and Montreal mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb reflect on stepping into one of opera’s most iconic roles.
J’Nai Bridges is highlighted on Diane von Furstenberg’s editorial page, DVF Woman, which is dedicated to spotlighting women breaking boundaries in their field and uplifting other women. The interview covers topics from her favorite record to rituals that set up a good day, all amongst images of Bridges adorned in dresses featuring iconic Furstenberg patterns.
This season, J’Nai shares her artistry at some of her most beloved organizations including Seattle Opera, Nationale Opera & Ballet, Candian Opera Company, and more! J’Nai will sing across the globe to not only reprise some of her favorite roles, but to debut a variety of new repertoire.
J’Nai Bridges joins NPR in its celebration of Black Music Month with a new Tiny Desk (Home) concert!
Her program, consisting of works like “Habanera†from Carmen by Georges Bizet, “Prayer†by Carlos Simon, and Duke Ellington’s “Heavenâ€, features Damien Sneed on piano, Nolan Nwachukwu on bass, and Christian Xavier McClendon McGhee on drums.
In a message to the Tiny Desk team, she wrote: “I remember NPR’s Tiny Desk series premiering and thinking how refreshingly authentic and intimate these performances were. I often had dreams of performing here, but admittedly, I didn’t think it was possible for opera singers to effectively express themselves in this way. I was wrong.â€
J’Nai Bridges sat down with Caramoor pianist Lara Downes as part of the organization’s new Caramoor Conversations series, which interviews musicians performing at Caramoor this summer.
In this episode, J’Nai and Lara discuss pieces that J’Nai has chosen for her recital, and why it was important to include living composers with those who have passed, ahead of J’Nai’s solo Caramoor recital on July 7th.
J’Nai Bridges is set to join NPR Music’s Tiny Desk takeover for Black Music Month! As part of this series, J’Nai joins an amazing lineup of musicians ‒ Usher, Monica, Naira Marley, and more! ‒ with a special performance featuring surprise guest artists!
J’Nai Bridges lends her voice as the featured mezzo- soprano on composer and activist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)’s new single “They Still Want To Kill Usâ€, out May 27th.
“As an artist, I have a duty to spread awareness and knowledge and to be an ambassador for humanity. This is a piece that directly aligns with my role in the world. I have the responsibility to help people to open their minds and hearts, because in school we are just not taught a lot about the dark history of our country… the healing can’t happen until we know what we’re working with.†- J’Nai Bridges
“At its best, opera is about telling stories. The question is which stories are going to be told. I love the notion of Black people and Black artists telling their stories, with their voices, in their words, with their people, for their audiences ‒ and everyone else can come in, too.†- Composer, activist, violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)
J’Nai Bridges joins Seattle Opera for a conversation about growing up in Lakewood, WA; her love of basketball; and returning home to Washington to perform in Seattle Opera’s production of “Samson & Delilahâ€
J’Nai joins an elite group of black creatives who are nominated for their work in celebrating and elevating “the black cultural experience through music, at, photography, film, literature, and designâ€.
Philip Glass’ Akhnaten Wins 2022 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording!!
J’Nai Bridges played Nefertiti to Anthony Roth Costanzo’s Akhnaten,
Cast List:
Conductor. Karen Kamensek
Queen Tye. DÃsella Lárusdóttir
Nefertiti. J’Nai Bridges
Akhnaten. Anthony Roth Costanzo
High Priest of Amon. Aaron Blake
Horemhab. Will Liverman
Aye. Richard Bernstein
Amenhotep III. Zachary James
J’Nai Bridges along with tenor Ben Bliss and soprano Liv Redpath are awarded the LA Opera’s $60,000 Eva & Marc Stern Artist Award
“To be a recipient of this award is a great honor, and I’m just extremely grateful for it. As opera singers, we are challenged daily. So to just be recognized for our hard work‑and in this case‑my hard work, it really is very special. I’m just so grateful for that recognition, and it inspires me to keep going.â€
While performing in Kennedy Center’s world-premiere production of “Written in Stoneâ€, J’Nai joined ‑- Bryan Vandergraaff to talk about the production, and her upcoming projects. She also gave a special performance of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Handsâ€!
These 50 cultural leaders will take part in Kennedy Center programs, forums, residencies, and events‑such as Arts Summit, the Center’s annual convening investigating the power and potential of the arts‑and work with the Kennedy Center to create opportunities for discourse with civic leaders to ensure that the voices of artistic and cultural leaders are lifted and heard.
J’Nai Bridges is featured on Opera News magazine’s February 2022 issue which includes a full feature interview on “LIVING HER TRUTH†‒ “I feel when you have a sense of self, things don’t tend to ruffle your feathers as much, and that’s important. Being an artist takes a lot of mental and emotional fortitude, but real confidence helps ground you.â€
2021
On November 23, 2019 The Metropolitan Opera recorded a live performance of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten in which J’Nai Bridges made her house debut as Nefertiti. Two years later to the day, November 23, 2021, this recording was nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award for “Best Opera Recordingâ€!
J’Nai celebrates this incredible honor with her colleagues who all worked together to bring this masterpiece to life: “Glass: Akhnaten,†Karen Kamensek, conductor; J’Nai Bridges, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James and DÃsella Lárusdóttir; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)
This season, J’Nai lifts up new voices as a soloist in several world premieres, along with classic roles for which she continues to garner accolades in exciting venues across the United States.
100 Women of Color Remember Their First Encounter With Racism‑And How They Overcame It
“When I was in high school, there was a day that changed my life forever: September 30, 2003. It was homecoming spirit week and every day, you would dress up as something different. One of the days was called ‘Phat Tuesday.’ People came to school in gold chains, cornrows, gold grills, afros, jerseys, baggy pants‑including teachers. At the time there were about five Black students; you can imagine our discomfort. I wrote a letter to the whole school and the dean read it at a school assembly. People came up to me afterwards, and they were just like, we’re so sorry, we didn’t know. That moment really changed me for many reasons. I didn’t even know that I had this voice in me, but that was the first instance where I was like, ‘Wow I have a voice that’s bigger than mine.’ It was about our collective humanity, and breaking down these ingrained stereotypes. And my voice is bigger than me.â€
J’Nai Bridges a featured soloist on Richard Danielpour’s “The Passion of Yeshua†which has won a 2021 Grammy Award for “Best Choral Recordingâ€
In her debut written article, J’Nai Bridges interviews and writes about the legendary soprano Reri Grist for the February Issue of Opera News.
2020
J’Nai Bridges is a featured soloist on the Grammy-nominated recording of Rachard Danielpour’s “The Passion of Yeshua.†The album has been nominated in the categories of “Best Contemporary Classical Album,†“Best Choral Performance,†and “Best Engineered Classical Album.â€
J’Nai Bridges performs in the digital premiere of Washington National Opera’s “Monuments of Hope†the first installment in WNO’s series “Come, Hope,†an initiative that takes its title from an aria in Fidelio- an opera that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.
The film features J’Nai and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny performing at the iconic monuments of Washington DC, representing our collective memories and shared hope for a more perfect future.
The film was co-produced by J’Nai Bridges, Ryan McKinny, and Tonya McKinny.
J’Nai was recently included in The Root’s annual list of the most influential African Americans between the ages of 25 and 45, among the ranks of Beyoncé, Colin Kaepernick, and Issa Rae
J’Nai was recently featured on CNN’s Great Big Story where she discusses her career, and the importance of showing children‑especially BIPOC children‑that classical music is possible.
‘Global Goal: Unite for Our Future ‑ The Concert’, is a global televised and streamed special on Saturday, June 27, that aims to help ensure access to healthcare across all communities equally. Hosted by Dwayne Johnson, J’Nai will perform alongside Gustavo Dudamel, Jennifer Hudson, Coldplay, Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, and many other amazing artists for the Global Goal Unite Concert. The concert will be available on digital platforms including Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Apple, and Twitter.
‘Samson and Delilah’ began its run at the Washington National Opera on March 1, 2020. Playing lead role of Delilah, J’Nai received high praise from the press, even though the run was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See below for some highlights!
“The headline draw was American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, as Delilah, making her WNO debut. Her instrument and talent were striking…. her low notes were great, elemental things, seeming to roll through the auditorium, her high range all sharply milled gunmetal.†(The Washington Post)
“This was the sort of blazingly successful debut that heralds a major star. Bridges, who also made her Metropolitan Opera debut this season, sang the role of the Philistine temptress with astounding technique, from a molasses-rich chest voice up to puissant heights.†(Washington Classical Review)
“Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges owns this opera in the role of Dalila. Stretching out her arms to spread the sumptuous wings of her gown, she appeared as a palatial goddess as she sang of retribution in glowing, lush tones… her magnetism was undeniable.†(Bachtrack)
“Bridges’ Delilah is a diva. She knows it, she loves it, she flaunts it. Her power intoxicates her.†(DC Metro Theatre Arts)
“Her dark and rich mezzo-soprano was built for the famous pieces in the Saint-Saëns work, from “Printemps qui commence†(“Spring beginsâ€) to “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix†(“My heart opens itself to your voiceâ€).†(Broadway World)
“Anchoring the production as Delilah is J’Nai Bridges, a mezzo with a rapidly ascendant career trajectory.†(Washington City Paper)
“She is, as been said about many originals, “the real deal.†(The Georgetowner)
J’Nai will sing the iconic title role in Carmen at The Metropolitan Opera 2-18, following her acclaimed Met debut in 2019’s sold out run of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten
J’Nai made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Nefertiti in Philip Glass’s ‘Akhnaten’, November 8 ‒ December 7, 2019, with a flood of media coverage and rave reviews accompanying it.
Media Features:
“How A Fast-Rising Opera Singer Prepared for her MET Debut†‒ New York Times Magazine
“J’Nai Bridges, ‘The Beyonce of Opera,†Makes Her Debut As Nefertiti†‒ BET
“From Carmen to Nefertiti, J’Nai Bridges is the Next Big Voice in Opera.†‒ The Root
“How An opera Singer Dresses for Work†‒ The Cut
Critical Praise:
“The vocal blend of Costanzo’s Akhnaten with mezzo J’Nai Bridges as his wife, Nefertiti, and soprano Disella Lárusdóttir as his mother, Queen Tye, was sublime. Just enough alike and just enough different, they sang as individuals and spoke as one voice depending on the moment in the score.†‒ NY Classical Review
“J’nai Bridges as Nefertiti sounded warm and lush; DÃsella Lárusdóttir’s high, bright soprano as Queen Tye, Akhnaten’s mother, blended hauntingly with the royal couple in their otherworldly trio.†‒ Bachtrack
“…J’nai Bridges, whose Met debut leaves the audience craving much, much more.†‒ Vulture
2019
Fresh off her critically-acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital debut, the mezzo-soprano makes debuts at the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and the Tanglewood Festival, as well as returning to Dutch National Opera for the title role of Carmen
J’Nai has been nominated for the honor of being the San Francisco Opera’s 2019 Emerging Star of the Year! Voting is open to the public until July 31, so make sure to vote for J’Nai!
2018
On December 13, J‘Nai made her Carnegie Hall Recital Debut with pianist Mark Markham, with works by Mahler, Ravel, Danielpour, Margaret Bonds, Undine S. Moore and more.
“Bridges, a rich-toned mezzo-soprano with a calmly commanding stage presence, delivers a program that runs the gamut from imaginary Asia to true-life America, giving voice to women of color along the way. Accompanied by the pianist Mark Markham, she sings Ravel’s fantastical “Shéhérazade†and Mahler’s heart-wrenching “Kindertotenlieder.†In an aria from Richard Danielpour’s “Margaret Garner,†she embodies a dark, enslaved past, and in “Oh, Gloryâ€â€‘a song written for her by the composer Shawn Okpebholo, its spiritual lines and jazzy underlay spiked with muted modernism‑she looks to the future.†‑ The New Yorker
“Her voice is a rich blanket of plush sound, capacious and flexible, with a panoply of colors and weights, and as she demonstrated from the start, she’s not afraid of doing nothing.†‑ Opera News
“Demonstrating her versatility, interpretation, and passion for performing, J’Nai Bridges undoubtedly created an impression that will have audiences talking for quite some time to come.†‑ OperaWire
“A very good voice, rich and beautiful…she sang with dignity and feeling.†‑ The New Criterion
“A lyric mezzo-soprano with a regal, classic sound†‑ Seen and Heard International
“Bridges’ voice is unique among singers today…She is a superb actress, moving her gorgeous voice to the emotions of the words and notes she is singing.†‑ Berkshire Fine Arts
The 2018-19 season for mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges features her Carnegie Hall Recital debut and her house role debut as Carmen at San Francisco Opera, her role debut as Kasturbai in Satyagraha at LA Opera, and two international operatic debuts at Dutch National Opera and the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
J’Nai has been nominated for the honor of being the San Francisco Opera’s 2018 Emerging Star of the Year! Voting is open to the public until July 31, so make sure to vote for J’Nai!
With the announcement of eight brand-new productions coming this season, San Francisco Opera will feature J’Nai in the title role of Carmen in June 2019! For more information, click the link below.
A program featuring songs by Ravel, Mahler, Falla, Ned Rorem, Richard Danielpour, and selected spirituals, J’Nai Bridges will perform with pianist Mark Markham in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, December 13, 2018!
On Sunday, January 21st 2018, J’nai will be joining WQXR and today’s top opera stars in a celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th Birthday! The concert will be held at The Greene Space, featuring performances and interviews honoring Bernstein and his legacy.
2017
“Girls of the Golden West†began its run at the San Francisco Opera November 21st, 2017. Playing as Josefa Segovia, a young Mexican barmaid, J’nai received high praise from the press. Check out what the reviews are saying!
“J’Nai Bridges gave a glowing, searing performance as Josefa, who responds to the mob with serene fury.†‒ The New Yorker
“J’Nai Bridges brought a lush mezzo and a defiant ferocity to Josefa…†‒ The Wall Street Journal
“J’Nai Bridges’ Josefa goes to the gallows with exceptional grace, singing in Spanish and English her resolve to maintain dignity in a place where that needs mentioning.†‒ Los Angeles Times
“Josefa is beautifully sung by mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges.†‒ Berkley Daily Planet
“…J’Nai Bridges, dignified and warm as Josefa Segovia…†‒ The Stage
After her hugely successful debut in John Adams’ new opera Girls of the Golden West at San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Classical Voice wrote a feature claiming:
“Fist bumps and high fives don’t often follow a mezzo-soprano’s brisk high Cs or equally impressive delivery of low range, dusky, rich notes, but when ambition appears in the voice and form of J’Nai Bridges, it’s hard to resist.â€
J’Nai is preparing for the November world premiere of “the most eagerly anticipated new opera of the season†(The New York Times), John Adams’ Girls of the Golden West at San Francisco Opera. John Adams and Peter Sellars’ latest collaboration follows young people from all over the world who flock to Gold Country hoping to strike it rich but are quickly caught up in the optimism, greed and prejudices of a rapidly changing world.
J’Nai is a winner of a 2018 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, a program which awards $50,000 career grants to extraordinary emerging classical artists of color who, early in their professional career, demonstrate the following qualities: artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and ongoing commitment to leadership.
The awards will be bestowed on March 21, 2018 at the official Sphinx Medals of Excellence luncheon and honorees will be celebrated at a black-tie private dinner in Washington, D.C.
J’Nai will perform in a preview of composer John Adams and librettist/director Peter Sellars’ upcoming production Girls of the Golden West at the Guggenheim Museum on Thursday, September 21 and Friday, September 22 at 7:30 pm. Girls of the Golden West will premiere at the San Francisco Opera in November 2017.
J’Nai has been nominated for the honor of being the San Francisco Opera’s 2017 Emerging Star of the Year! Voting is open to the public until August 15, so make sure to vote for J’Nai!
J’Nai returns to Munich, Germany for two sold out performances of Andrea Chénier at the Bayerische Staatsoper on July 28 and 31 performing the role of Bersi.
J’Nai is a featured mezzo-soprano soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on July 13 and 18 at The Hollywood Bowl. The concerts, led by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, will include Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Copland’s Lincoln Portrait narrated by longtime legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. J’Nai and the LA Phil will be joined by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and soloists Amanda Majeski, soprano; Issachah Savage, tenor; and Ryan Speedo Green, baritone.
J’Nai was praised for her “refinement and power†(Washington Classical Review) following her performance as a soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center. She will perform Beethoven’s epic masterpiece again later this summer with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
J’Nai has been nominated for a 2017 International Opera Award in the Young Singer category. Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday, May 7th at the London Coliseum.
J’Nai is featured in the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, January 21st at 7:30 p.m. alongside soprano Michelle Bradley, tenor Mario Chang, baritone Eugene Villanueva, pianists Warren Jones, Ken Noda, and Valeriya Polunina, together with special guests tenor Javier Camarena, and pianist Gerald Martin Moore.
The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s acclaimed production of Bel Canto featuring J’Nai as Carmen, airs on Friday, January 13 at 9pm as part of PBS’ Great Performances. The production is based on Ann Patchett’s novel of the same name and also features Danielle de Niese, Jeongcheol Cha, Andrew Stenson, Rafael Davila, William Burden, and Jacques Imbrailo.
2016
J’Nai makes her LA Opera debut starring as Queen Nefertiti, opposite tenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten with performances on November 5, 10, 13, 17, 19 and 27.
Tune in to watch J’Nai on the GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends concert on Friday, October 14 at 9:00 p.m, airing on PBS affiliates nationwide! J’Nai is featured in a tribute to composer John Cage, performing alongside pianist Richard Valitutto.
The concert, recorded live in Los Angeles in April, honors The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Award winners from 2016.
J’Nai received critical praise for her San Francisco Opera debut as Bersi in Andrea Chénier, a role which she will perform later this season in her debut with the Bavarian State Opera.
Her portrayal was noted as “captivating†(San Jose Mercury News), “enthralling†(Bachtrack), and “vivacious†(Opera War Horses).
J’Nai is featured on KALW San Francisco’s Open Air at 1PM today (PST), speaking with host David Latulippe about her role in the upcoming production of Andrea Chénier. Tune in by visiting www.kalw.org.
J’Nai has been named a finalist in the 2016 Operalia Competition! Watch the Medici TV livestream of the final round on Sunday, July 24th at 7:00pm EST.
J’Nai is a quarterfinalist in Plácido Domingo’s 23rd annual Operalia competition taking place at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara from Monday, July 19th to Sunday, July 24th.
Following her critically acclaimed portrayal of Suzuki in ‘Madama Butterfly’ in the 2015-16 season, J’Nai Bridges returns to Wolftrap Opera to make her highly anticipated debut in the title role of Benjamin Britten’s gripping The Rape of Lucretia. Ms. Bridges performs June 10, 12, 15 & 18 with an accomplished cast, including Brenton Ryan as the Male Chorus; Kerriann Otaño as the Female Chorus; Christian Zaremba as Collatinus; Ben Edquist sings Junius, and Will Liverman as Tarquinius. Maestro Craig Kier leads from the pit for this Louisa Muller-directed production.
In addition to the performances, Wolftrap will host four community events as part of ‘The Lucretia Project,’ which features See Lucretia (June 1); The Lucretia Symposium (June 4); Read Lucretia (June 11); and Hear Lucretia (June 11).
J’Nai played “Butterfly’s faithful servant Suzuki with a wealth of tenderness, sisterly concern and reserve†(San Diego Union Tribune).
In its review of her performance, ConcertoNet noted, “J’nai Bridges’ Suzuki can lay claim as one of the finest displays of Japanese reserve and restraint. Vocally gifted with effusive, smoky substance, her softness and soulfulness fit like a glove as the devoted servant. It is here (and likely the only place) where true frisson and pathos deeply penetrate the soul. Ms. Bridges expresses her character with moving delicateness; she will go far.â€
Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, a recent alumna of the Ryan center, is one of three American singers to receive Tucker Foundation Career grants of $10,000 each. Grants are given to young singers who have already performed with professional opera companies. (Chicago Tribune)
J’Nai was named by WQXR’s Fred Plotkin as one of the forty opera singers to watch who are “making the future bright for opera.â€
“J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano, memorably sang the role of Carmen, a young Peruvian, in Jimmy López and Nilo Cruz’s Bel Canto at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Among a cast led by Danielle de Niese, Anthony Roth Costanzo and other fine singers, she earned one’s attention and sympathy. Upcoming engagements including Suzuki in San Diego, Britten’s Lucretia in Wolf Trap and Nefertiti in Akhnaten in Los Angeles.†(WQXR Operavore)
J’Nai Bridges sings the role of Suzuki in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, April 16, 19, 22 & 24 in her premiere appearance with San Diego Opera. Her previous portrayal of the role at Wolftrap Opera garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike:
“… J’Nai Bridges, a mezzo who won the Marian Anderson Award in 2012, a distinctive Suzuki with a sizable and lovely voice.†(Washington Post)
Performances take place at the San Diego Civic Theatre, and also feature a cast including Latonia Moore in the title role; Teodor Ilincăi as Pinkerton, and Anthony Clark Evans as Sharpless. Yves Abel leads from the pit for this Garnett Bruce staged production. There are several ancillary events surrounding this production, including a post-opening night cast party as well as the ‘Stars in the Salon’ event.
This fall, J’Nai Bridges debuts at the acclaimed San Francisco Opera as Bersi in Andrea Chénier; September 9, 14, 17, 22, 25 & 30 at the War Memorial Opera House. The cast includes Yonghoon Lee in the title role; Anna Pirozzi as Maddalena de Coigny; and George Gagnidze sings Carlo Gérard. Music Director Nicola Luisotti leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra for these performances, featuring a production by David McVicar.
2015
J’Nai was named by Opera News as one of the 25 Rising Stars to watch in the October 2015 issue. The 25 singers honored have completed work in top conservatories and young artists programs and already have won some of opera’s most prestigious competitions.
