May 6, 2025 • Download →
Est. 1999
Opera Las Vegas established the Christopher and Anita Murray Opera Las Vegas Studio at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with the start of its 2024-2025 Twenty-sixth Anniversary season. Auditions for the Studio are held annually each Autumn.
We are thrilled to introduce our Studio Artists for the 25/26 season: soprano Nina Mutalifu, and baritone Isaac Herrera. These two exceptional talents will be lighting up our stages in concerts and operas all season long. We can’t wait for you to experience the artistry they bring to every performance!
SOPRANO
New York–based Uyghur soprano Nina Mutalifu has been praised by Opera News for her “shimmering lyric soprano voice of fine quality.” Her concert appearances have brought her to prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Kaufman Music Center, and Opera America. She made her Carnegie Hall debut after winning the 2019 Talents of the World International Voice Competition.
Her operatic credits include the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, Lisa in The Queen of Spades, and Sieglinde in Die Walküre. Additional repertoire includes Rusalka, Don Giovanni, Carmen, and Die Zauberflöte. She has also participated in the Aspen Music Festival, the Georg Solti Accademia, Opera Fuoco Baroque Music Festival, and the Renata Scotto Opera Program.
BARITONE
Mexican baritone Isaac Herrera has been recognized for his rich vocal timbre, commanding stage presence, and emotionally compelling performances. His operatic credits include Lescaut in Manon, Escamillo, Morales, and Le Dancaïre in Carmen, Dr. Rappaccini in Daniel Catán’s Rappaccini’s Daughter, and Rodrigo in the Mexican opera by Melesio Morales.
He has appeared as a soloist with the Orquesta Filarmónica del Desierto in Carmina Burana, the Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora in Messiah, and with the Orquesta Sinfónica UANL and Orquesta de Sinaloa de las Artes in gala performances. Herrera is a former member of MOS Mexico Opera Studio, the Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Opera Workshop (TAOT), and the Taller de Ópera de Sinaloa (TAOS).
Artistic Director Jim Sohre lauds Christopher and Anita Murray, longtime OLV Trustees for their visionary support: “We are so grateful to the Murrays for underwriting this vital program, one that will not only greatly enhance our mission for making opera accessible to a diverse demographic, but will also serve as an important collaboration with the award-winning Opera and Voice program at UNLV.” Dr. Linda Lister, UNLV Opera Program Director will serve as liaison and advisor.
WITH OUR GRATITUDE TO
FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT
We are most pleased that we could play a part in bringing this long dreamt of project into realization, knowing that it promises to be a fruitful collaboration that will enhance Opera Las Vegas programming, all the while supporting UNLV in providing important additional professional training opportunities for the stars of tomorrow.
— Chris & Anita Murray
Dr. Linda Lister, UNLV Opera Program Director, serves as liaison and advisor, adding: “This partnership between Opera Las Vegas and UNLV Opera brings exciting educational and artistic opportunities to our students and strengthens the community impact of both organizations. The initiative provides a valuable launching pad for UNLV Opera singers, facilitating their transition from pupil to professional.”
Throughout the season, the current Studio Artists appear singly and together in home hosted friend- and fund-raising events and thematic concerts. As part of their training as Studio Artists, they will receive professional vocal coaching, repertoire development, and high profile performance opportunities throughout the Valley at such renowned venues as Myron’s at The Smith Center.
