Peruvian-American mezzo-soprano Kelly Guerra is widely recognized for her distinctive voice,described as “rich and sultry, radiating warmth and power, with a smoky timbre” Isthmus News (2025).
Guerra is recognized for her dedication to opera, bringing passion and nuance to her performances.
Her 2024-25 season features a diverse array of roles. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as one
of the Niñas in Golijov’s flamenco opera Ainadamar, directed and choreographed by Deborah Colker,
Jo March in Mark Adamo’s Little Women with Fort Worth Opera, the alto soloist in Handel’s
Messiah with the Glacier Symphony, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Las
Vegas, Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri with Anchorage Opera and Opera in the Heights,
María in María de Buenos Aires with Madison Opera, Ruth Bader Ginsburg in
Scalia/Ginsburg with Raylynmor Opera, and Mrs. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox with Opera
Omaha.
In fall of 2025 she portrays the iconic activist Dolores Huerta in the premieres of
Dolores by Nicolás Lell Benavides and Marella Martin Koch at West Edge Opera and
Opera Southwest, a co-commission with San Diego Opera and the Broad Stage in
Santa Monica. In 2026 she makes a role debut as Sesto in Giulio Cesare with Opera
Santa Barbara.
Guerra’s versatility extends to many styles and eras of vocal music, from Mozart to
Sondheim to Héctor Lavoe. She made her Los Angeles Philharmonic debut under John
Adams and premiered Katherine Balch’s orchestral song cycle Illuminate with the
California Symphony. In Summer 2024, Kelly honed her musical theatre skills with
Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver’s Actor Therapy. Her performances as Lupita
and Renata in the mariachi opera Cruzar la Cara de la Luna earned her praise as
“brilliant” and “exquisite.” Guerra also toured in Wayne Shorter and Esperanza
Spalding’s (...Iphigenia), her role as Iphigenia Unbound noted as “beautifully sung” by
the Washington Post.
As a recitalist, Guerra has been featured at the Lucerne Festival, Tanglewood Music
Center, and Bard Music Festival. As a first generation American and native of Southern California,
Guerra's work focuses on promoting Spanish-language and contemporary repertoire, with a
commitment to making the concert hall more inclusive.