Opera has always been built on grand emotion, but Krista Sher is taking that sense of scale even further. The Los Angeles-born soprano blends classical tradition with pop sensibilities, cinematic orchestration and a passion for video game music, creating a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary. With her debut EP Big Beautiful Music arriving on 24th July and a London showcase set for the night before, we spoke to Krista about the inspiration behind the record, her musical journey and the freedom of forging her own path.

1. Hi Krista, you’ve just announced your debut EP ‘Big Beautiful Music’ is to be released on the 24th July, what can you tell us about the new EP?

"Recording these iconic lyric soprano arias in my hometown of Los Angeles with a full symphony orchestra is the realization of a lifelong dream. I wanted to honor the world's most cherished lyric soprano repertoire by wrapping it in the lush, expansive textures of a live symphony orchestra. Big Beautiful Music represents my first ever symphonic recordings and is my love letter to opera's most breath taking melodies, captured with the sweeping, cinematic scale they truly deserve."

2. How did the name of the EP (Big Beautiful Music) come about?

"The title actually came about back in 2023, right after we decided to make the record, but its roots go all the way back to my childhood.

Growing up as a young singer, people used to affectionately call me 'the little girl with the big voice.' I was tiny, but this massive, towering sound would come out of me! For as long as I can remember, music has always felt huge in my head and in my heart—it always feels so much larger than me.

So when we were searching for a title that truly captured the heart of this project, Big Beautiful Musicfelt like the only accurate description. It honours that little girl with the huge voice, but it also describes the sheer scale, depth, and beauty of the sound we created. It’s an invitation for the listener to step into a world of music that is grander than life."

3. Your music crosses pop and classical boundaries, making it more accessible for a contemporary audience, what inspired you to start singing?

"Honestly, singing was just as natural to me as breathing. It’s a gift I’m humbled by every single day, and I take very little credit for it. To be completely transparent, keeping that mindset is the only way I can get up on stage sometimes! If I only had my own skill to rely on, I might just chicken out—but knowing it's something bigger than me gives me the strength to step out there.

Growing up in New Orleans, I was perfectly set up for that gift to bloom. My mother managed the historic Orpheum Theater, and my father was a pastor, so I was constantly immersed in two beautiful musical worlds: the grandeur of classical melodies and the soul of church gospel.

On top of that, my great-grandaunt was the legendary soprano Marie Selika. I like to think of music as a family sport that has been passed down through our bloodline by the grace of God. Bridging pop and classical isn't a calculated trick for me—it's just a reflection of all those rich, beautiful sounds that raised me."

4. You are multilingual, singing in English, Italian, French and German - is it difficult to switch between languages?

"Not really, because I don't translate the words into English in my head as I'm singing. That would be a recipe for disaster! Instead, I connect directly to the emotion and meaning of the song in the language I'm singing it.

As classical voice majors in university, we spend years studying diction, grammar, and literature in Italian, French, and German, along with the core opera repertoire. You learn how each language sits in the voice differently—Italian is so open and melodic, French has this silky, nuanced tone, and German is so grounded and dramatic.

Because of that rigorous training, switching between them isn't about doing mental math on stage. It's more like changing colors on an artist's palette. Each language just gives me a different emotional texture to share with the audience."

5. What is the gaming music that you are involved in - and how did this come about?

So many of us in this generation grew up with the anthemic, valiant, and deeply inspiring scores found in video games and films. These scores introduced us to classical music in an entirely new dimension. In traditional opera, the audience is an observer to a story told through music. But in gaming, the music becomes part of a living, multi-dimensional experience that you actively engage with.

At its absolute core, what is opera besides telling profound stories to music? Video games have simply evolved that concept, inviting the audience to step inside the world and actually become a part of the storytelling. For a classical vocalist, a complex game score doesn't replace the traditional stage—it expands it. It offers an electrifying, interactive canvas where my voice can channel the lived experiences, triumphs, and heartbreaks of the audience in real-time."

6. What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in your professional life?

"The biggest hurdle for me has been truly defining who I am as an artist.

In traditional opera, defining a voice is already a very complex science—it’s all about your tessitura, your vocal color, and your range. Out of a sense of artistic sportsmanship, I always wanted to sing 'properly' and honor those classical rules. But at the same time, my soul and personality naturally yearned for freedom from those strict boundaries. I wanted to come off the heavy operatic voice at times, using softer, non-traditional textures that still require great technique, just a very different kind.

Navigating that tension made it really difficult early on because the music industry thrives on neat little boxes—they want to know exactly how to label and market you. But as an artist, you eventually realize you can’t compromise who you are just to fit a box. You have to be brave enough to carve out your own space, redefine the boundaries, and trust that your true tribe will find you. Doing that wasn't easy, and in many ways may still be confusing to many, but it was absolutely necessary."

7. You’re playing a showcase in London on the 23rd July - what can we expect from your live performances?

“Expect the unexpected! My live performance isn't just a concert—it’s a full-sensory experience.

You’re going to hear soaring, traditional opera, original reimaginings of gaming scores from League of Legends and Arknights, lush pop melodies, and the dramatic, sweeping pulse of a live orchestra. We are weaving together every corner of the musical world I love, from the classical stage to modern cinematic soundscapes.

At its core, it’s a night designed to make you feel everything deeply. You’re going to hear, see, and feel Big Beautiful Music in every sense of the word—and I cannot wait to share that magic with London!"

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.