New York City Opera: American Classics

American soprano Marnie Breckenridge has earned international acclaim as a go-to performer of a vast repertoire with a “bell-like ring over an enormous range and personality spilling from every note” (The Globe and Mail), and a “lovely soprano” voice (The New York Times). Breckenridge has originated roles in nine world-premiere operas and has recorded extensively with living composers. She received the DORA Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Individual in an Opera” (2020; re-nominated in 2025) for Jacqueline, a role she helped create with composer Luna Pearl Woolf and librettist Royce Vavrek. The opera - written for Breckenridge and cellist Matt Haimovitz - explores the life of Jacqueline Du Pré (Tapestry Opera, PDX Festival, WestEdge Opera). Other favorite roles include; Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor (Orlando Opera, Indianapolis Opera, & Mobile Opera), Mother in Little’s Dog Days (LA Opera & Ft. Worth Opera, Prototype Festival), Sierva Maria in Peter Eötvös’s Love and Other Demons (Glyndebourne Festival Opera), Kathie in Getty’s opera Goodbye, Mr. Chips (film), Susannah in Laura Schwendinger’s Artemisia (Left Coast Ensemble), La Princesse in Philip Glass’ Orphée, title role in Milhaud’s Médée, and Margarita Xirgu in Golijov’s Ainadamar (Opera Parallèle), her Ravinia Festival debut in Jake Heggie’s To Hell and Back alongside Patti LuPone (Philharmonia Baroque), and Cunegonde in Candide (English National Opera, Prague State Opera). Breckenridge’s recorded legacy includes Everyone Sang (David Conte), The Layers and Mortality Mansions (Herschel Garfein), There Is Another Sky (Henry Mollicone), Summer Songs & In Real Life (Robert Paterson). She is also featured on Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s Heroes & Villains, New World Records’ Victor Herbert Collected Songs, and her own holiday album, Happy Golden Days, available on all major streaming platforms.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Latonia Moore is widely regarded as one of the most compelling sopranos on today’s international stage, celebrated for the richness of her voice and the emotional depth of her artistry. Her 2025–26 season features the role of Bess in Porgy and Bess at the Teatro Municipal de São Paulo and Serena in the same opera at the Metropolitan Opera and Houston Grand Opera. She also appears as Liù in Turandot in Detroit and joins The Cleveland Orchestra for its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert. In the 2024–25 season, Moore performed Musetta in La bohème with San Diego Opera, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the title role in Jenufa with The Cleveland Orchestra under Franz Welser-Möst, in addition to appearing at the Academy of Vocal Arts Gala Concert in Philadelphia. Moore has earned international acclaim for her portrayal of the title role in Aida, which she has performed at many of the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Opernhaus Zürich, Teatro Colón, New National Theatre Tokyo, and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival. Her distinguished career also includes appearances in Dead Man Walking, Fire Shut up in my Bones, Tosca and La bohème at major houses worldwide. She has collaborated with renowned orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra, working with notable conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle and Edward Gardner.

Possessing a vibrant tenor voice, Jason Karn consistently earns praise from critics and audiences alike for his compelling dramatic portrayals. The 2024-2025 season saw Jason's return to NC Opera as Arcadio in Florencia en el Amazonas, and as a featured soloist at Opera in the Park. His recent portrayal of Gastone in La Traviata, punctuated by an unforgettable moment stepping in mid-performance to sing Alfredo from the pit. His history with NC Opera also includes critically acclaimed performances as Edmondo in the company premiere of Manon Lescaut, and Jacino in a poignant reopening production of Fidelio post Covid. Further demonstrating his versatility, Jason reprised the role of Don José in New York City Opera's Carmen in Bryant Park (2021), following his impactful NYCO debut as the Young Gypsy/Beppe in Aleko/Pagliacci. He has also distinguished himself in concert, notably with the American Symphony Orchestra in the American Premiere of Vincent D'Indy's Fervaal at Avery Fisher Hall. His noteworthy stage presence extends to his Washington National Opera debut as Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos, and compelling portrayals of Cassio in Otello (Opera Carolina, Arizona Opera), Al Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (Pittsburgh Opera), and Ferrando in Così fan tutte (Opera Carolina, Chautauqua Opera, Granite State Opera). Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in Voice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Acclaimed for ‘full-bodied and broad’ theatrical instincts communicated with ‘arching legato phrases,’ American baritone Brian Major continues to forge his own path in building a career of compelling artistic diversity. In the 2025 – 2026 Season, Brian returns to the Metropolitan Opera, both to reprise the role of his 2022 company debut, Barone Douphol in Verdi’s La traviata, and to cover Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen. Spring 2026 also brings a performance of the concert suite from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with Latonia Moore and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and his debut with Opera Philadelphia as the Court Poet in Spears’s Sleepers Awake. Hailed for his emotional depth and indomitable stage presence, Brian has performed in many of the world’s most renowned venues and with ensembles including the Atlanta, Columbus, and Schenectady Symphony Orchestras. He was tapped to create or cover parts in the world premieres of Steve Wallace’s chamber opera Undying Love with Chicago-based Hearing in Color and Gregory Spears’s Castor and Patience with Cincinnati Opera, and the rôle of Gary in Douglas Pew’s Penny took him to Opera Grand Rapids. Molding the foundation of his technique through formal study, Brian earned degrees from Morehouse College, Boston University, and Michigan State University, his work at the last of which culminating in completion of his Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance degree.

Puerto Rican opera singer Larisa Martínez has been praised and sought after for her “smoky soprano” (Opera News), gracing many of the world’s top opera and concert stages including recent debuts as a soloist at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and the Hollywood Bowl. Her recent roles include Musetta in La Bohème (CulturArte), Violetta in La Traviata (Wichita Grand Opera), Sophie in Werther (Culturarte), and Maria in West Side Story (Festival Napa Valley). For the last three years, Ms. Martínez has toured with tenor Andrea Bocelli throughout North America, South America, and Europe. She also has a long history of collaborations with violinist Joshua Bell, including two PBS specials and an upcoming "Voice and the Violin" concert tour. 

Ms. Martínez holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico, and The New School's Mannes School of Music. 

Praised for "exuding power in every detail of her body language and voice" and her "remarkably rich, powerful mezzo", mezzo-soprano Elissa Pfaender is gaining recognition for her performances around the world. The 2025/2026 season includes a return to Deutsche Oper Berlin for performances of Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, a role and house debut of Maddalena in Rigoletto at Palm Beach Opera, a debut in the world premier of Of One Blood by Brett Dean at The Bayerische Staatsoper, and a return to Wolf Trap Opera for a role debut of Olga in Eugene Onegin. With New York City Opera, she covered the roles of Mama and Signora Olga in the world premier of Ricky Ian Gordon's The Garden of the Finzi-Continis and also frequently performs with the company as a featured soloist in concerts in Bryant Park and Central Park. Ms. Pfaender has been the recipient of many awards from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, The National Opera Association, The Opera Foundation, and more. 

Praised for his commanding stage presence, dramatic versatility, and distinguished vocal artistry, baritone Franco Pomponi has enjoyed an international career spanning many of the world’s leading opera houses and concert stages. His extensive repertoire includes celebrated performances of Hamlet at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Opéra de Marseille, and La Monnaie, as well as Don Giovanni with the Bolshoï Theatre in Moscow, Athens, Geneva, and Montpellier. Widely acclaimed for his portrayals of Escamillo in Carmen, he has appeared with New York City Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Finnish National Opera, Opéra Toulon, Miami, and Bremen. Additional career highlights include performances of Golaud in Pelléas et Mélisande in the Netherlands, Michele in Il Tabarro, Tonio in Pagliacci, Germont in La Traviata, Ford in Falstaff, Count di Luna in Il Trovatore, Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West, Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles, and the title roles in Nixon in China and Sweeney Todd. At the Lyric Opera of Chicago, he appeared as Ping in Turandot, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, and Malatesta in Don Pasquale, while the Metropolitan Opera featured him as Count Dominik in Arabella and Schaunard in La Bohème. In concert, Pomponi made his Carnegie Hall debut as baritone soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Philadelphia Orchestra and has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Musiciens du Louvre. A full fellow of the Juilliard School Opera Center and recipient of the prestigious DeRosa Prize, his recording Death is the Cool Night was honored as the HPR International Art Song Winner.

Praised by The New York Times for her “bright, sizable and expressive voice,” Mexican-born American soprano Kristin Sampson is recognized for her compelling interpretations across both operatic and symphonic repertoire. Upcoming engagements include Verdi’s Requiem, the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Suzel in L’amico Fritz, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Monica in The Medium, in addition to concert appearances with New York City Opera, Candle Light Opera, Washington Opera Society, the Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva, and the Kauno Filharmonija. Recent highlights include a return to her signature Puccini heroine, Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, with Opera Nationala Româna, as well as concert performances with Opera Carolina and the Taormina Opera Festival. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall as soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony. Additional recent appearances include Tosca with Connecticut Lyric Opera, a workshop of Jake Landau’s Psyche, and concerts with both New York City Opera and Washington Opera Society. Ms. Sampson has appeared throughout the United States with companies including Santa Fe Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Opera Carolina, and Dicapo Opera Theatre. Internationally, she has performed at the Puccini Festival, Teatro del Giglio, Teatro Verdi, the National Theatre of Szeged, and Teatro Municipal de Santiago. Her signature roles include Minnie in La fanciulla del West, the title roles in Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Adriana Lecouvreur, Mimì in La bohème, Nedda in Pagliacci, Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, Micaëla in Carmen, and Liù in Turandot.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, from 2009 to 2012, Elizaveta Ulakhovich attended the Music College N.A.Rimsky- Korsakov. At the end of the third year she entered the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. She was a member of the 2017 class of the People's Artist of the RSFSR E.S. Gorokhovskaya, where she graduated summa cum laude. The year before graduation she was accepted into the Young Artist Program of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, under the direction of Honored Art Worker D.Vdovin. During this program, Elizaveta won several awards, including Third Prize of the 9th International Competition S.Monyushko "Ubelskaya swallow" in Minsk, Belarus, and a special award of the 32nd international competition "Ismaele Voltolini" in Buscoldo, Italy. At the Bolshoi, Elizaveta was involved in the World premiere productions of the mono-opera Cormorant, Samson and Delilah based on Elena Skulskaya's novel in Tallinn and M. Weinberg's opera Idiot. Samson and Delilah was broadcasted on Estonian national radio and television. She also performed over 100 concerts on many stages of Russia, including the Beethoven Hall of the Bolshoi Theatre and Philharmonic Hall and Mariinsky Concert Hall in St. After moving to New York, Elizaveta has continued to perform in several competitions. She was the winner of the III Prize of the Giulio Gari international competition, the finalist of the "Getting to Carnegie" competition, and given a special award of the Opera at Florham competition. After that she signed a contract with Lombardo Associates Artist Management. Elizaveta made her debut for New York City Opera the summer of 2022. As a resident member of a company she has performed in USA and abroad with maestro Constantine Orbelian. She is very thankful for her voice teacher Michael Paul, her many artistic mentors and her family for all of their support.

Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first come, first served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs. 

Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere on the lawn except for the center lawn blanket zone. 

Purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn or bring your own picnic. Look for Stout NYC and Heaster Street Fair vendors, and be sure to visit the Bryant Park Shop, too!

Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more.

Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events. 

Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.

Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.