Karla Pineda (1994, Costa Rica) is the winner of the Fifth Prize at the 63rd Tenor Viñas International Singing Competition, the Audience Prize for Best Female Voice, and the Joyce DiDonato Extraordinary Prize.
— Once the competition is over, how do you feel?
I am incredibly happy, deeply grateful, and full of energy. Winning a competition like the Tenor Viñas 2026 is every opera singer’s dream—it’s unbelievable.
— What led you to the world of opera and classical singing, and when did you decide to pursue it professionally?
My musical training began when I was little with my father. I played several instruments, especially guitar and mandolin. Later I went to the University of Costa Rica to study classical singing, and one day I was invited to sing a small role in the opera Don Giovanni. When I stepped onto the stage and felt all that magic—the orchestra, the costumes, the makeup, everything—I said, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
This is my first singing competition here in Europe, and it truly means so much. In fact, several people told me it was a dream to take part in this competition, so I decided to go for it. I auditioned in Madrid, advanced to the second round, and here we are.
— What would you say are your dream roles?
I have several dream roles. I absolutely love and am very eager to sing Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana, Carmen, and perhaps in the slightly more distant future, Dalila or Amneris.
— What advice would you give to future contestants?
The advice I would give is that dreams do come true. If you truly have the commitment, the desire, that perseverance, and you work hard for your dream, you can achieve it. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us, but you need to stay focused, be patient, and above all, be very persistent and consistent in your work.
— In three words, how would you define the Tenor Viñas Competition?
Challenge, excellence, and beginning—a new beginning.
Costa Rica is a very small country, and it is a great achievement to represent my country. In a way, I also feel that I am opening a door so that other Costa Rican singers can see that reaching these international stages is possible.
