The young Canadian born in Oman offers an undeniable stage presence, a solid, dark, extended, broad voice, capable of hoarseness as well as caresses, velvety and bravado in turn. Articulating its registers with virtuosity, a large dynamic scale and its expressive palette, the voice knows how to be sinuous, serpentine in seduction and scathing like a slap when Carmen wants to be hurtful or to be respected."
Omani-born mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny has emerged as one of the most captivating young voices on the international opera stage. In the opening seasons of her career, she has garnered widespread critical acclaim, establishing herself as a singular talent set for a glittering international presence. Early breakthrough came with her powerful portrayal of Carmen in Romain Gilbert’s production at Opéra de Rouen Normandie, earning her the accolade “a revelation” and was swiftly followed by her “deeply moving and totally convincing” performances as Penelope in Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, under the baton of Leonardo García Alarcón and in a new staging by the late Pierre Audi.
Johnny’s artistry has shone in a wide range of repertoire bringing nuance and vivacity to Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) at Opéra de Lille, as Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte) at Opéra national de Lyon, as Angelina in an abridged version of La Cenerentola at Houston Grand Opera and as Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro) at both Portland Opera and Opera San Jose. As part of the inaugural cast of The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, a bold and inspirational ensemble work by Ted Huffman and Philip Venables based on Larry Mitchell’s seminal LGBTQ+ text, Johnny showcased her artistic versatility at Manchester International Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Bregenzer Festspiele and at London’s Southbank Centre.
Deepa Johnny excelled in her role debut as the page Cherubino both in the ease of delivery of her delicate instrument and in her complete transformation for the trouser role. She had a great comic timing as well, and the audience loved her cross-dressing antics!
The 2025/26 season marks a significant chapter in Deepa Johnny’s career with major debuts at Canadian Opera Company as Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) under Daniela Candillari, at English National Opera as Angelina (La Cenerentola) conducted by Yi-Chen Lin and at Opéra national de Paris in two contrasting new productions: as Kasturbai (Satyagraha) under Ingo Metzmacher, and as Dejanire in Antonia Bembo’s Ercole Amante, directed by Netia Jones and conducted by Leonardo García Alarcón.
On the concert platform, Deepa Johnny has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel in Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at both Disney Hall and Carnegie Hall, sung Mozart, Mass in C minor Mass with l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and García Alarcón and Handel, Messiah with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Mathieu Lussier. Her recital appearances include a featured performance with pianist Alphonse Cémin at the 2024 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, participation in Renée Fleming’s SongStudio at Carnegie Hall, and a fellowship at the prestigious Ravinia Steans Vocal Institute.
We admire the stage commitment, the overflowing sensuality, the wide ambitus, with easy highs and well-rounded lows, as well as the full timbre of the heroine."
