Praised for his “iridescent countertenor” (The New York Times), “liquid elegance” (Seen and Heard International), and “intense stage presence” (Classical Voice North America), Chuanyuan Liu is a rising force among the new generation of countertenors. His deep passion for storytelling inspires him to connect with audiences through empathy, authenticity, and creativity
In the 2024–25 season, Chuanyuan appears as the alto soloist in Messiah with the Kansas City Symphony and makes his role debut as Tolomeo in Giulio Cesare at Hudson Hall. He reprises the roles of Priest/Medium in In a Grove at both the Prototype Festival and Opera Saratoga, where he also performs Madame de Quinper-Karadec in La Vie Parisienne. Additional highlights include covering The Painter in The Seasons at Boston Lyric Opera, guest soloist in Christmas at the Paramount with the Oratorio Society of Virginia, and presenting in two recitals: Call Me by My Name with pianist Tongyao Li, and Memoirs of a Gaysian with ChamberQUEER and Wear Yellow Proudly. As an apprentice artist at Chautauqua Opera, he sings Elise Traynor in Lincoln in the Bardo, Parpignol in La bohème, and Max in Sitcom.
Originally from China and now based in the U.S., Chuanyuan centers his work on Asian representation. Notable projects include the title role in the world premiere of Monkey (White Snake Projects), covering Song Liling in M. Butterfly (Santa Fe Opera), directing and starring in That Night With the Green Sky for AAPI Heritage Month, and curating neither here nor there, a recital on the Asian/-American experience.
Other notable engagements include the world premiere of In a Grove, at Pittsburgh Opera, followed by a return as Polinesso in Ariodante; a Philadelphia Orchestra debut in the world premiere of The Hours under Yannick Nézet-Séguin; his Carnegie Hall debut in Renée Fleming’s SongStudio; alto soloist in Messiah with Toledo Symphony Orchestra; and countertenor soloist in Bernstein’s The Lark with New York Choral Society. Chuanyuan was a Fleming Fellowship Artist at the 2023 Aspen Music Festival, where he performed the role of César in Jimmy Lopez and Nilo Cruz’s Bel Canto and appeared in numerous opera, art song, and chamber music concerts. He is a Troupe member of Victory Hall Opera, where he performed in Orpheus and Erica: a deaf opera, and was one of the 5 artists featured in their most recent documentary, YAPs.
Chuanyuan is a 2024 Sullivan Foundation Award winner and a two-time National Semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. He also received prizes from Cedar Rapids Opera, Pasadena Vocal Competition, Opera Index, the Gerda Lissner Foundation, and others. He holds an Artist Diploma from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a Master’s from Bard Conservatory’s Graduate Vocal Arts Program, and a BA from the University of Virginia.