Miles Mykkanen, a talented opera singer, has successfully transitioned from a childhood aspiration of performing on Broadway to making a significant mark in the opera world. At age 34, he has recently opened the Metropolitan Opera season in a leading role in the new opera, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” based on the novel by Michael Chabon. The opera features a libretto by Gene Scheer and a score by Mason Bates, with Mykkanen taking on the role of Sammy Clay, a Jewish boy navigating his identity during World War II in Brooklyn.
Mykkanen's journey to this prominent role wasn't straightforward; he faced rejection from musical theater programs in college and had to pursue opera at the prestigious Juilliard School at Lincoln Center. Although initially disappointed, he quickly regrouped and dedicated himself to his craft. In the years since, he has built a respected career and is now poised to be in two major productions at the Met this season, including “Innocence” by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, where he plays the Bridegroom, a character returning to a traumatic past related to a school shooting.
Mykkanen has previously performed at the Met in smaller roles, but his portrayal of the Holy Fool in Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov in 2021 garnered critical acclaim, paving the way for his current opportunities. The artistic administrator of the Met, Michael Heaston, recognized Mykkanen’s unique ability to blend genres and recommended him for the role of Sammy, seeing the character’s vocal and acting demands as perfectly suited to Mykkanen’s talents. This season represents a peak in Mykkanen's career, as he finds himself in roles that resonate deeply with his personal experiences.
Both of Mykkanen's characters in the upcoming performances hold significant secrets. Sammy Clay grapples with his sexuality amid societal prejudices of his time, a role that Mykkanen, a gay man himself, finds personally rewarding as it reflects his own journey of acceptance. Meanwhile, the Bridegroom in Innocence faces the fallout from a traumatic school shooting, grappling with his hidden role in the past. Mykkanen expresses enthusiasm for the contrasting musical challenges presented by these roles, noting that while Saariaho’s score requires meticulous precision, Bates's music for Kavalier & Clay feels innovative and more accessible.
Hailing from Ironwood, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where his parents were high school band directors, Mykkanen’s early exposure to music fostered his passion for performing. Initially drawn to Broadway, he sought a classical voice teacher to refine his skills, which ultimately led him to opera. Despite his rising fame, Mykkanen remains connected to his roots, continuing to develop the Emberlight Arts Festival in his hometown, which has become a significant summer program showcasing a variety of artistic performances.
As Kavalier & Clay runs through October 11, it features an ensemble cast alongside Mykkanen, including baritone Andrzej Filonczyk as Joe Kavalier and soprano Lauren Snouffer as Sarah. The production, conducted by Met music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and directed by Bartlett Sher, marks a notable highlight in Mykkanen's career as he embraces these complex and demanding roles that challenge and enrich his artistic expression.
