…Ms. Pierce went from strength to strength, totally inhabiting the part, and ravishing us with stellar vocalizing. Moreover, she is not only effortlessly funny, she is unfailingly lovely. There is a big career ahead.”

Opera Today (Barber of Seville, Des Moines Metro Opera)

Chinese-American mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, Third Prize Winner of the 2024 Operalia competition, is rapidly establishing herself as a versatile and dynamic artist in both traditional and contemporary repertoire.

During the 24/25 season, Sun-Ly will return to several notable theaters for exciting role debuts, including Opera Philadelphia in L’amant anonyme (Dorothée), Detroit Opera in Così fan tutte (Dorabella) in a new production by Yuval Sharon, and Des Moines Metro Opera in The Cunning Little Vixen (Fox). On the concert stage, she will debut with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in Messiah, The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra in excerpts from Carmen, the Britt Festival Orchestra for Ravel’s Shéhérazade, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in Madama Butterfly (Suzuki). She will also return to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Die Walküre (Siegrüne) under the baton of Music Director Fabio Luisi. Future seasons include a debut with the Santa Fe Opera and returns to The Metropolitan Opera and Houston Grand Opera…

“Una voce poco fa” (Il barbiere di Siviglia) - Rossini
Madeline Slettedahl, piano

“Wie du warst” (Der Rosenkavalier) - Strauss
Madeline Slettedahl, piano

“Voi che sapete” (Le nozze di Figaro) - Mozart
Madeline Slettedahl, piano

On Stage

Featured
Opera Philadelphia
Emerging Artist Recital
Opera Philadelphia

As one of Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Emerging Artists, Sun-Ly will sing a variety of recital selections with pianist Grant Loehnig.

Opera Philadelphia
Tuscon Symphony
Messiah (Alto Soloist)
Tuscon Symphony

Sun-Ly will reunite with Christopher Allen at the podium for her debut with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah.

Tuscon Symphony
Opera Philadelphia
L'amant anonyme (Dorothée*)
Opera Philadelphia

Sun-Ly will return to Opera Philadelphia to debut the role of Dorothée in L’amant anonyme.

*Role Debut

Opera Philadelphia

  • ...From the first rich rolling tones of the piece, she made our eyes open wide. By the time she got to the coloratura, roulades, and all, we knew hers was going to be a definitive interpretation of not just the aria, but the role. Ms. Pierce went from strength to strength, totally inhabiting the part, and ravishing us with stellar vocalizing. Moreover, she is not only effortlessly funny, she is unfailingly lovely. There is a big career ahead."

    Opera Today (Barber of Seville, Des Moines Metro Opera)

  • "Best of a universally pleasing cast was Sun-Ly Pierce, a visually credible Siébel whose even, fine-timbred mezzo projected clearly throughout her range."

    Opera Magazine with Opera News (Faust, Berkshire Opera Festival)

  • “The finest performance in a good ensemble effort was Sun-Ly Pierce’s impassioned Bertarido —untraditionally and logically played as haggard and exhausted from his travails— immaculately phrased in a beautiful dark lyric mezzo."

    Opera Magazine with Opera News (Rodelinda, Hudson Hall)

  • “Mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce treated the trouser role of Stephano, one of Romeo’s pals, to a lustrous voice and breezy demeanor.”

    Texas Classical Review (Roméo et Juliette, Houston Grand Opera)

  • “The role of Laurene, played by Chinese-American mezzo soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, is a substantial one in the opera and needs much vocal finesse. It was performed with excellent dramatic sensitivity and vocal control, and Pierce received a very substantial applause from the audience for her portrayal.”

    Opera Canada (The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Calgary Opera)

  • “Sun-Ly was utterly convincing as Romilda’s dashing beloved Arsamene, with her lush, flexible mezzo-soprano, insightful musicianship and expert pants-role swagger.”

    Opera News (Xerxes, Detroit Opera)

  • “Her thoughtful and graceful performance was apt to the tone of the production, not strident, not aggressive, but tasteful and thoughtful.”

    OperaWire (Dream of the Red Chamber, San Francisco Opera)

  • “Butterfly’s servant gained a stature of her own, thanks to Sun-Ly Pierce. The mezzo-soprano sang with a poise that revealed Suzuki’s devotion, as well as a vibrancy that made her outcries telling. Pierce cut a wily figure, too.”

    Texas Classical Review (Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera)

  • "Sun-Ly Pierce was the feisty and charming Cherubino--a delightful portrayal."

    Opera Magazine with Opera News (Le nozze di Figaro, New Orleans Opera)

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