Meet the Student: Q&A with Soprano Nikan Ingabire Kanate

Soprano Nikan Ingabire Kanate, from Ottawa, Ontario, stars as Ottavia / Fortune in the East Coast premiere of Curtis Opera Theatre’s production of George Lewis’ and Claudio Monteverdi’s The Comet / Poppea, November 1, 2, and 3 at Philadelphia’s historic 23rd Street Armory. She entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2024 and studies in the opera program with Julia Faulkner. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Kanate is the Edwin B. Garrigues Fellow.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career as an opera singer?
In 10th grade, I had doubts about pursuing a career in classical music. When I met soprano Mireille Asselin, an alumna from my high school who sang at the Met, she shared that she had faced similar uncertainties but chose to take a leap of faith and believe in her dreams. It certainly paid off; she inspired me to do the same, and I will always be grateful for that.

What have you enjoyed the most about learning the roles of Ottavia and the goddess La Fortuna and bringing them to life?
It’s my first time tackling this type of music, and it’s quite different from the repertoire I’ve been working on. I’ve really enjoyed playing with the text and ornamentation. I’m honored to be part of the East Coast premiere of this special project and excited for the staging process to begin to truly embody these characters.

How did you first hear about Curtis, and what has been your favorite moment here since you arrived?
I first heard about Curtis and its prestigious reputation from my peers during my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, and I was thrilled when I was accepted. My favorite moment so far has been the voice department sing-in. I was blown away by hearing everyone for the first time; they truly have the best of the best here!

Portraits of Ms. Kanate by Nichole MCH Photography. Q&A with Ms. Kanate by Ryan Lathan.