Nikola Printz

Mezzo-Soprano

Nikola Printz

Nikola Printz, a versatile artist making waves in Opera, Concert, and Recital, is noted for performances that are “heartrending, musically resplendent…and thrillingly fierce” (San Francisco Chronicle) and praised for possessing a “richly colored and flexible voice, complemented by a powerfully expressive physicality” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Noted American journalist Joshua Kosman reflects with “marvel at the career trajectory of Nikola Printz, who has recently made an artistic sprint from apprentice to star in what feels like the blink of an eye.”

Nikola Printz makes their London debut in autumn 2025, performing under the baton of Marin Alsop in a concert presentation of Laura Karpman’s opera Balls at the Royal Festival Hall with The Philharmonia. Printz portrays tennis legend Billie Jean King in the groundbreaking work, which dramatizes the historic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match. Karpman – an Oscar-nominated composer known for her acclaimed scores for American Fiction, The Marvels, and Kung Fu Panda 2 – is a leading advocate for equality in the film industry. She wrote the role of Billie Jean King specifically for Printz, who originated the part in the world premiere staged production by Opera Parallèle. Highlights of the 2025–26 season include performances of Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été with the Vallejo Symphony, as well as Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, singing the role of Jade Boucher and covering the lead role of Sister Helen Prejean in Leonard Foglia’s compelling production, conducted by Patrick Summers. The artist also covers the role of Kundry in a brand-new San Francisco Opera production of Parsifal, directed by Matthew Ozawa and led by Music Director Eun Sun Kim. Additional appearances of the season include a debut at Opéra de Lille in a production of Philip Glass’ Les Enfants terribles and a titular role debut as Handel’s Alcina with the Bay Area’s Festival Opera.