About Evelina
Latvian lyric soprano Evelina Smolina is a rising opera artist whose performances combine vocal brilliance with a distinct artistic presence.
In August 2026, she returns to Deutsche Oper Berlin for UNLESS THE PEOPLE LIVE HERE, the Opening Weekend curated by Rirkrit Tiravanija with Landon Wilson. As part of the programme, she appears in Anri Sala’s 5 FLUTTERBYES, inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, presented as the finale of the Opening Concert under the baton of Giovanni Conti.
Earlier in 2026, Ms. Smolina made her role debut as Elli in the world premiere of Sidney Corbett’s Tintenfischlady at Deutsche Oper Berlin. Following a successful premiere, she performed the role in a series of twelve performances under the musical direction of Leonard Martynek, marking an important milestone in her artistic development.
Her relationship with Deutsche Oper Berlin began in February 2025, when she made her house debut as Giselher and Waldvogel in Ab in den Ring under the musical direction of Elda Laro.
In July 2025, Ms. Smolina earned her Master’s degree at the Berlin University of the Arts, where she studied in the class of Evelin Novak. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Classical Voice at the Manhattan School of Music (2023), studying with Shirley Close and working with renowned coaches including Thomas Lausmann, Myra Huang and Bryan Wagorn.
Her career milestones include a 2020 debut on the main stage of the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, performing Adina’s aria alongside Aida Garifullina and Ildar Abdrazakov with the Mikhailovsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra under Mikhail Tatarnikov.
She first came to international attention in 2019, making her Carnegie Hall debut (Weill Recital Hall) as Grand Prix recipient of the Crescendo International Competition Winners’ Recital, followed by an appearance at the Open Seasons Festival in St. Petersburg under the baton of Fabio Mastrangelo.
