A moment of Melina
Heralded by Opera News for their “lush” voice, Melina Jaharis is a Greek-American with a “rich, dark, resonant” mezzo soprano.
2025-26 starts off in London with the Oxford Philharmonic in a world premiere in honor of Theodorakis’s centenary. Melina joins the Artemis Chamber Orchestra for a concert of handpicked oratorio arias and art songs. Additionally, Melina will be performing the role of Mamma Lucia and covering Santuzza with Sotto Voce. In the spring, they reprise the title role of Carmen with Regina Opera.
Last season included five exciting productions, two world premieres, Beyond the Horizon and Tin Angel with Teatro Grattacielo, as well as joining the company as Marcellina. Additionally, Melina joined Heartbeat Opera as the Page&Slave in Salome, covering Herodias to much critical acclaim. They performed Zita with Opera Company Middlebury.
Previous notable roles (of 44) / companies include performances and covers of Carmen, Santuzza, Amneris, Ortrud, Azucena, La madre di Butterfly (Sarasota Opera), Contessa di Ceprano / Maddalena cover (Wolf Trap Opera).
Equally comfortable speaking German and English, they studied in Vienna, Austria at the Konservatorium Prayner in the year before their graduate studies. Melina is a Greek citizen.
The New Yorker
“In an intriguing revision, the Heartbeat team expanded the role of the Page … Strauss cut that passage, but Schlosberg wove a couple of lines from it—"He was like a brother to me, closer than a brother"—into the interlude that precedes Herod's entrance.
The mezzo-soprano Melina Jaharis found an oasis of pathos in that moment”
Alex Ross on Melina’s performance as the Page in Salome - Heartbeat Opera 2025
Seen and Heard International
“Melina Jaharis’s gleaming mezzo-soprano could shoot from the lowest notes of [their] range with laser-like accuracy and brilliance”
Page in Salome - Heartbeat Opera 2025
Bach Track
“Melina Jaharis’ Page brings a polished voice and absolute dramatic commitment...”
Salome - Heartbeat Opera, 2025
Observer
“In the end, the page (an affecting and increasingly outraged Melina Jaheris) shoots the whole family, not just Salome.”
Salome - Heartbeat Opera, 2025
The Wall Street Journal
“Melina Jaharis... [was] persuasive”
Salome - Heartbeat Opera, 2025
Classical Voice North America
“Melina Jaharis’ lush Page...”
Salome - Heartbeat Opera, 2025
Opera Magazine
“For example, the incisive mezzo Melina Jaharis paired a most definitely female Page with the Slave”- Opera with Opera News
Salome - Heartbeat Opera 2025
Opera Wire
“As the mother Kate Mayo, Melina Jaharis had a clear sound and solid diction”
Beyond the Horizon (Flagello) Teatro Grattacielo, 2024
Chatham Life and Style
“Jaharis’ resonant, dark [mezzo] soprano allowed for a lot of flexibility within this role, which is ideal for the immense range... They navigated these with confidence and careful dexterity for a performance that captured so much of the essence of Hannah After’s spirit.”
As One - Carolina Performing Arts, 2020
Chicago Tribune
“Melina Jaharis brought a rich contralto to Ma Moss, Laurie's widowed mother, who lives an unrealized life through her daughters.”
The Tender Land - Northwestern University, 2017
Opera News
"Melina Jaharis unveiled a lush mezzo as Isabella.”
Giulietta e Romeo (Zandonai) - Teatro Grattacielo, 2022
