An Upper Peninsula native is stepping into the national spotlight this fall. Tenor Miles Mykkanen will star in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 season opener, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay." The new production, composed by Mason Bates with a libretto by Gene Scheer, is adapted from Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel. It premieres September 21st at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Mykkanen will sing the role of Sam Clay, a Brooklyn writer who, with his cousin Joe Kavalier, creates a comic book superhero to stand against fascism during World War II. The production blends historical narrative with comic-book fantasy and incorporates a wide-ranging score filled with electronic textures, classical orchestration, jazz influences, and Jewish liturgical themes. The opera is directed by Bartlett Sher and conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, with performances running through October 11th.
For Mykkanen, the opportunity to perform one of the title roles at the Met is both a professional milestone and a personal reflection on his roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. His early experiences with the Pine Mountain Music Festival and the support of U.P. communities shaped the foundation for his musical journey, one that eventually led to Juilliard and to performances on some of the world’s greatest stages.
In preparing for this role, Mykkanen has revisited Chabon’s novel multiple times, delved into the score and libretto, and embraced the challenge of portraying a character navigating identity, ambition, and imagination. The opera’s unique pacing and multimedia design will bring audiences through Nazi-occupied Prague, midcentury New York City, and a vividly stylized comic-book universe.
Learn more about the making of "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay:"
Mykkanen, who has previously appeared in smaller roles at the Met, now joins a cast that includes Andrzej Filończyk, Edward Nelson, Lauren Snouffer, and Sun-Ly Pierce; all in principal roles for the first time. The production marks a generational moment for a cohort of rising American artists.
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's conversation with Mykkanen:
Following Kavalier and Clay, Mykkanen returns to the Met later in the season in Kaija Saariaho’s "Innocence" and has additional projects in development, including a return to Mozart repertoire. Reflecting on his journey, Mykkanen encourages young artists (especially those from small communities like the U.P.) to remain open to unexpected paths and to stay grounded in their roots while reaching toward their dreams.
For more information about the production, visit metopera.org, and for updates on Mykkanen’s career, visit milesmykkanen.com.
Additionally, Mykkanen is also the Artistic Director of the Emberlight Festival, now in its fifth season. Find out more at emberlight.org.
