Angel Blue: A Journey Through Opera and Adventure with the Met’s ‘Aida’ Star

Angel Blue, the renowned soprano and Los Angeles local, features in the Metropolitan Opera’s latest rendition of Verdi’s Aida, broadcasting Live in HD to theaters globally on Saturday, January 25 at 12:30 PM ET.

Aside from her much-anticipated Met role debut as the Ethiopian princess, Aida, Blue also portrayed Margarita Xirgu in Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar this past Autumn at the Met.

This singer boasts notable achievements: in 2020, Blue was awarded the prestigious Beverly Sills Award from the Met, and in 2022, she received the Richard Tucker Award, which celebrates a singer who has attained a high level of artistic success, poised for an international career. Blue has also secured two Grammy Awards, one for Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess, and another for Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones (both under the category of Best Opera Recording).

A former beauty pageant titleholder, she has claimed the title of Miss Hollywood and was the 2^nd runner-up for Miss California.

I had the opportunity to interview this versatile artist about her favorite opera, her views on work-related travels, her preferred dining spots near the Met, and much more.

My favorite opera that’s not my own: Turandot. I have performed the role of Liù, but Turandot is a dream role for me.

My pre-performance ritual: I try not to engage in any activities on the day of a performance. I stretch and do some light exercises in the morning/afternoon. I start warming up approximately 5 hours before the performance. I keep quiet after the initial warmup until the dressing room warmup. I maintain a power pose for 2 minutes and recite Philippians 4:13. Occasionally, I glance at the music and offer a prayer, then I’m prepared to go.

After a performance, I: Simply wish to be by myself, ha! Not in a negative sense, but I invest so much of myself into the performance that I generally find myself almost rushing away from the theater to return home and recuperate.

My favorite type of opera attendee (does what): Enjoys the performance! I appreciate the individuals who attend the opera looking for enjoyment. They come to have an enjoyable time, and I wish for them to have that experience! Hopefully, I can assist in making their evening or matinee memorable. Just have fun. You’ll be seated for a solid 2 – 4 hours, so make the most of it!

My business role model is: My business (and life) role model is my husband. While I could mention someone from the opera domain, I have gained more insights into my work as a singer through my husband. His ability to navigate his 20+ year career as a software developer is commendable. His work is continually evolving, keeping pace with industry standards. His enthusiasm for his profession shines through in his performance; I aspire to emulate that as a singer. We are always learning, which is one of the most rewarding and essential aspects of our jobs.

The best piece of career advice I’ve received: Treat people the way you wish to be treated!

Maximize your opera experience by: Attending without any expectations! Just go for entertainment. It’s a way to enjoy an afternoon or evening out, so just let loose and appreciate the experience. Bring friends or someone you enjoy spending time with and have a great time. Also, make sure to read the synopsis beforehand!

The restaurant I cherish the most near the Met is: THE SMITH and CAFE FIORELLO’S! These two eateries have been my favorites for nearly the past ten years. I adore the staff, the ambiance, the cuisine, etc. Both places embody what I treasure most about New York City…wonderful people, delicious food, engaging conversations, and joyous times.

The morning following a significant performance, I: Take my 13-year-old to school, enjoy coffee with my husband, and then I return to sleep!

My preferred method to unwind is to: I strive to get enough sleep and engage in physical activity. I pray regularly and try not to fret over things beyond my control.

The destination I most enjoy traveling to for work is: This is such a lovely question. I have had the privilege of performing in over 40 countries, each leaving a mark on my heart. In the coming months, I will be traveling to perform in Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy, and Brazil. Three months ago, I sang in Denmark and India. The world is incredibly beautiful; I adore traveling for work and connecting with people. What a blessing! My husband and I often find ourselves departing a country and saying, “Oh yes, we could definitely retire here.” I suppose my favorite travel destination is wherever I happen to be.