West Bay Opera

Layna Chianakas

Layna Chianakas, mezzo-soprano, returns to West Bay Opera to sing the title role in La Périchole. Ms. Chianakas debuted in her first Carmen at West Bay Opera in 1999, and has since performed the role over 50 times to critical acclaim. Ms. Chianakas has performed with Cleveland Opera, Virginia Opera, Madison Opera, Nevada Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Sacramento Opera, Intermountain Opera, Dorian Opera Theater, and Rogue Opera. Future engagements include Suzuki (Madama Butterfly) with Opera Santa Barbara, Hansel (Hansel and Gretel) with Sacramento Opera, The Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors) with Des Moines Metro Opera, and Niklausse/Muse (Tales of Hoffmann) with Cleveland Opera.

After an audition tour of France, Ms. Chianakas secured contracts with L’Opera de Marseille and L’Opera de Dijon. Her orchestral appearances include performances with the San José Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, San José Chamber Orchestra, Fresno Philharmonic, Sinfonia da Camera, the Masterworks Chorale, the Choral Society of the Hamptons, New West Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, Diablo Symphony, and Augustana Orchestra. Most recently, she sang the world premiere of Saints, written for her by Craig Bohmler, with the San José Chamber Orchestra.