Accomplished Soprano Cecilia Violetta López Named General Director and CEO of Opera Las Vegas

Opera Las Vegas is thrilled to announce that it has appointed acclaimed Mexican-American soprano Cecilia Violetta López as its new General Director and CEO, effective July 1, 2025.

López, who began her professional career with the company in 2012, returns as only the fifth person to hold this leadership role in OLV’s 27-year history. Recognized as one of “Idaho’s Top 10 Most Influential Women of the Century” by USA Today and named one of Opera News' “25 Rising Stars,” she brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and arts leader. She will oversee fundraising, business strategy, and artistic planning while continuing her international singing career. López is stepping down from her role as Opera Idaho’s first Artistic Advisor, and outgoing OLV General Director Jim Sohre will transition to Artistic Director. A UNLV alumna and longtime Las Vegas resident, López described the appointment as a “full circle moment,” reflecting on her journey from Idaho beet fields to international opera stages.

“My life is comprised of a collection of full circle moments,” said Cecilia Violetta López, “and this new chapter of my career is another. I have remained active and connected with the Opera Las Vegas family. Knowing where I started, farming alongside my mother in the beet fields of Southern Idaho, to my studies at UNLV, to the many stages where I’ve taken some of the most gratifying bows, it’s humbling to know I’ll be following in the founders’ footsteps. It’s a privilege to expand upon the existing Opera Las Vegas legacy.”

"Mi vida está compuesta por una colección de momentos que completan un círculo”, dijo Cecilia Violetta López, “y este nuevo capítulo de mi carrera es un momento más. Me he mantenido activa y conectada con la compañia Ópera Las Vegas desde que debuté con ella en el 2012. Sabiendo de dónde vengo, cómo empecé, trabajando con mi mamá en los campos de betabel en el sur de Idaho, a mis estudios en la Universidad de Nevada Las Vegas, y los muchos escenarios historicos en los cuales me he presentado, me enorgullese y, a la misma vez, me llena de humildad al saber que voy a seguir los pasos de los fundadores de la compañia que también eran cantantes de ópera. Para mi, es un gran privilegio poder continuar con el legado de Ópera Las Vegas."

— Cecilia Violetta López