Ken Howard photo MILES MYKKANEN

LONDON, England — Tenor Miles Mykkanen is set to debut Feb. 29 at the Royal Opera House — Covent Garden in London.

Mykkanen sings the role of the Steuermann in Richard Wagner’s early masterwork “Der Fliegende Hollander” (“The Flying Dutchman”).

Mykkanen is a native of Bessemer and fourth-generation Yooper. Local audiences may remember his performances across the Upper Peninsula with the Pine Mountain Music Festival and Emberlight Festival.

Outside the Midwest, Mykkanen has built an international reputation. He has appeared at the Hamburg State Opera, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, The Metropolitan Opera in New York, PBS Great Performances, and made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall when he was 23 years old.

Joining Mykkanen on stage will be the Sir Bryn Terfel, who will portray the title character of “The Flying Dutchman.”

“Making my debut at Covent Garden alongside this illustrious cast is simply a dream come true,” Mykkanen said. “I dangle off a 50-foot ladder, roll around in a giant pool of water, and sing a beautiful little aria before the Dutchman arrives to haunt our ship. I pretend to sleep on stage while Sir Bryn sings his entrance aria, and hearing him open up his voice fully in Wagner’s magnificent music is one of the most glorious experiences of my life. I can’t wait for the performances.”

Directed by Tim Albery and conducted by Henrik Nanasi, this Royal Opera House’s production of “Der Fliegende Hollander” runs until March 16.

Later this spring Mykkanen will sing “Carmina Burana” with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Mozart’s Requiem with the Oregon Symphony before his debut at the San Francisco Opera in Kaija Saariaho’s “Innocence.”

Local audiences can see Mykkanen perform this summer at the Emberlight Festival on Aug. 15, 17 and 24.

For more information about Mykkanen and his upcoming performances, go online to MilesMykkanen.com.