Born in the USA

Gregory Kunde has been looking forward to the spring of 2026. His performances with the National Symphony Orchestra mark his long awaited return to the US, and his much anticipated reunion with Maestro Gianandrea Noseda for Puccini’s Il Tabarro.

Kunde last sang the role of Luigi in Puccini’s tragedy opposite soprano Maria Agresta and baritone Luca Salsi for the Rome Opera in spring of 2023. On this occasion, Kunde found himself singing opposite Erika Grimaldi and Roman Burdenko.

“It’s a great feeling, coming back to the States, and already knowing the singers so well from our work together in the past. And of course, I am always delighted to work with Maestro Noseda. He was instrumental in my move to more dramatic repertoire in 2011. Maestro Noseda asked me to consider the role of Arrigo in Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani for a new production in Torino. At the time, it seemed that role was such a huge change for me vocally, so I had to learn the music and try it in my voice… but the maestro was right … and I found a completely new and exciting world of music to explore. His encouragement was exactly what I needed to make the change to the world of Verdi and Puccini.”