Maija Kovalevska is a Latvian soprano opera singer. Born in Riga, she graduate of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and since 2003 hones her skills in Italy under the tutelage of Mirella Freni.

In 2003, Kovalevska made her Latvian National Opera debut as Elvira in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”, a year later her brilliant performance as Donna Elvira in International Sigulda Opera Music Festival brought her the state’s highest prize in music- the Grand Music Award.

Also in 2004, she was the winner of the 10th Riccardo Zandonai International Opera competition in Italy and was second at the 3rd Jāzeps Vītols Vocal competition in Riga.

Kovalevska rose to international prominence in 2006 after winning Operalia- Plácido Domingo world opera competition in Valencia.

She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2006, starring first as Mimi in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème under the baton of Plácido Domingo, and later as Euridice in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. Thus a shining career was launched at the Met with subsequent leading roles, singing more than 50 performances. She was also part of the star-studded celebration concert for the Met’s 125th anniversary. 

She made her Vienna State Opera debut in 2011 as Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, later singing Mimi in La Bohème, Micaela in Carmen, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Violetta in La Traviata and Amelia-Maria in Simon Boccanegra,  performing with Plácido Domingo as Boccanegra.

In 2011, Kovalevska sang Micaela in the London Royal Opera House’s 3D film production of Bizet’s Carmen, later returning to Covent Garden in her signature role Mimi.

Also in 2011 she made her debut as Liù in Milan La Scala new production, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta in Dresden Semperoper.

Her performance as Teresa in Benvenuto Cellini was filmed in Salzburg Festival and released as opera film.

Recently she enjoyed singing Alice Ford in Falstaff and Desdemona in Otello.

In Latvia Kovalevska received the title of Honorary Professor, giving master classes to young opera singers and also the most prestigious state’s Order of the Three Stars. 

Kovalevska has performed on many of the world’s great opera stages, and continues to this day earning plaudits from critics and audiences alike.