HOWZAT

Voice: 8
Visuals: 6
Roles: 3
Back story: 2
Celeb factor: 1
20/50

Watch Elina Garanca singing from Rossini's La Cenerentola

17. Waltraud Meier

Legendary In Germany, elusive elsewhere, Waltraud Meier is a powerhouse mezzo who on a good day will blow your socks off as Isolde or Kundry. Trouble is, it's a small body of roles that her potent dramatic prescence can do justice to, and she is already moving into the character parts that signal a great singer's twilight years. Still a force to be reckoned with, mind - but Meier has no truck with celebrity.

Voice 7
Visuals 9
Roles 4
Back story 1
Celeb factor 1
22/50

Watch Waltraud Meier sing Beethoven's Fidelio

16. Maesha Bruggergosman

How many opera singers look like disco divas? This wonderfully sassy Canadian soprano is a real one-off, so let’s hope she makes the most of it in the years to come. She could start by getting seen further afield than North America, and dipping more of a toe into opera than she’s hitherto managed.

Voice: 6
Visuals: 7
Roles: 1
Back story: 6
Celeb factor: 2
22/50

Watch Maesha Brueggergosman sing D'Oreste, d'Ajace from Idomeneo

15. Nicole Cabell

Another voice from the new generation that is already capturing attention: Cabell has exotic roots (including both African-American and South Korean elements) which have produced a smooth, rich soprano of class and sophistication. Now we’re waiting for a breakout performance on stage and something on record that shows that her A&R people know what to do with her.

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