Beijing-born bass-baritone Wu Wei is set to take the stage at the LA Opera from November 2 to 23, performing six shows of “Romeo et Juliette” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. During a break from rehearsals, Wu sat down with us to share his journey to the international opera scene.
In this production, Wu portrays Friar Laurence, a pivotal character in the storyline. He believes that the Friar is the sole witness to the love, friendship, and trust between Romeo and Juliet, particularly given his fatherly bond with Juliet. This connection compels him to officiate their wedding and, in a desperate move, provide Juliet with a “poison” (the potion that induces her death-like sleep). The role encompasses rich emotional layers and features two beautifully melodic arias, allowing Wu to immerse himself fully in the experience each performance.
Wu Wei graduated from Renmin University of China and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was also part of the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists Program, where he later gained recognition for his role as the Japanese mentor Kōbun Chino Otogawa in the opera “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” contributing to a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.
As an Asian artist, Wu acknowledges the challenges of carving out a space for himself on the Western opera stage. He shared, “Opera originated in the West, and while Western artists might achieve 100%, we as Asians have to work 200% or even 300% harder” to gain recognition for our abilities and showcase our unique artistic expressions, thereby breaking stereotypes associated with Asian performers.
Wu has also observed a shift toward greater diversity in casting among major American opera companies in recent years. He highlighted the ensemble for the upcoming “Romeo et Juliette,” featuring talented singers from various backgrounds, including Korean tenor Duke Kim as Romeo and Egyptian soprano Amina Edris, who grew up in New Zealand and now lives in France, as Juliet. Furthermore, the LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artists Program embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Chinese tenor Han Yuntong, who also plays Juliet’s cousin in the production. This trend towards inclusivity excites Wu, who believes that cultural exchange enriches artistic creation.
“Romeo et Juliette” will be performed in French with English subtitles, and the entire show will run approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, including one intermission. For more details, visit the official website: https://laopera.org/performances/2025/romeo-et-juliette.
