jim salzano shoots opera’s rising stars

Jim Salzano has been shooting for Opera News for several years. His most recent assignment was to capture opera’s rising stars. The challenge was to give a contemporary twist to a traditional discipline.

The project was shot at Bath House Studios in New York City and included a couple of group shots, individual shots and a cover. It was a huge coordinated effort to get these five voices in one room at the same time, with a few of the singers flying in from various locations around the globe.

Bath House Studios is a landmark building, an old city bathhouse with a beautiful façade. “I saw all of them in formal attire, and I said, come outside for a quick shot. The contrast of old building and the new young guns in opera made sense to me,” said Salzano. The magazine agreed and used the image for the opening spread.

“Everyone has a certain idea of what opera singers look like, but the mold is being broken constantly, and these are the guys that are doing the breaking. It’s interesting to be around them; they’re very creative, very open to new things,” said Salzano.

From left: Andrew Stenson tenor, Janai Brugger soprano, Virginie Verrez mezzo-soprano, Yunpeng Wang baritone, Emily Fons mezzo-soprano, Ryan McKinny bass-baritone.