Isabel Leonard

Isabel Leonard, born in New York City on February 18, 1982, is an American mezzo-soprano of Argentine descent. Her musical journey began early, singing with the Manhattan School of Music children’s chorus for five years and attending the Joffrey Ballet School. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied under Edith Bers. Prior to her professional debut, Leonard was recognized with the Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition in 2005, the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Award in 2006, and a Movado Future Legends award in 2006, all highlighting her early promise and talent.

Leonard’s professional operatic stage debut occurred in February 2007 as Stéphano in ‘Roméo et Juliette.’ Later that year, in September 2007, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the same role. Her career further progressed with a Santa Fe Opera debut in 2008 as Cherubino in ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and a Vienna State Opera debut in February 2011, again as Cherubino in ‘Le nozze di Figaro.’ She reprised her role in Vienna as Rosina in ‘Il barbiere di Siviglia’ in January 2012, demonstrating her versatility across prominent operatic roles and venues internationally. Her performances have been consistently praised, including her role as Dorabella in the 2009 Salzburg Festival production of ‘Così fan tutte,’ which was captured on a Euroarts DVD.

In addition to her operatic work, Leonard has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic, including roles in concert versions of Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ and ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges.’ She has also engaged in significant collaborations, such as a series of well-received soprano/guitar-duet recitals with Sharon Isbin from 2014 to 2016, including a notable performance at Zankel Hall (Carnegie Hall). A career highlight includes winning three Grammy Awards: in 2014 for ‘The Tempest,’ in 2016 for ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges,’ and in 2021 for ‘From the Diary of Anne Frank & Meditations on Rilke’. In 2023, she appeared in the film ‘Maestro,’ singing in a reproduction of a Leonard Bernstein performance, further diversifying her artistic profile.