About Maria Brea
Maria Brea, soprano, is one of Venezuela’s most acclaimed opera singers. Praised by Opera Wire as a “very classy Venezuelan soprano,” “versatile soprano,” and “luxurious soprano,” and noted by The Brooklyn Reporter for her portrayal of Micaëla — “her lush tones and thrilling diminuendos were warmly received” — she is quickly making a name for herself across North America.
A graduate of The Juilliard School, Brea has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Liceu, David Koch Theater, and the Palais Garnier, captivating audiences with her dazzling range and intoxicatingly rich tone. In 2025, she will release and tour her debut album, Alba Beyond Borders (Lexicon Classics), a groundbreaking exploration of Latin American and Jewish music with pianist Dror Baitel.
Her signature roles include Violetta (La Traviata), Micaëla (Carmen), Ana Maria (Zorro), Nedda (Pagliacci), Mimì (La Bohème), Gilda (Rigoletto), Liù (Turandot), Agrippina (Agrippina), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Marguerite (Faust), and Elena (El Barbero de Sevilla), for which she received the Best Musical Actress award from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. Brea is also a distinguished recitalist, promoter of art song, avid oratorio singer, and champion of new works, with over 100 premieres in the U.S., Canada, and South America.
She has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Boston Philharmonic, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Oratorio Society of New York, Cecilia Chorus of New York, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, l'Orchestre Prométhée, New England Repertory Orchestra, and the United Nations Symphony Orchestra, amongst others.
Brea represented Venezuela at the 2022 Operalia Competition, was a finalist in both the 2022 Paris Opera Competition and the 2021 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, and placed 6th while winning Best Zarzuela Singer at the Tenor Viñas Competition. She has also earned top prizes from Opera Cultura, Gerda Lissner, Giulio Gari, and others.