The 2022/23 season sees Speedo’s first leading role at the Metropolitan Opera starring as Emile Griffith in Terrence Blanchard’s Champion, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and directed by James Robinson. Speedo also makes his house debut at Opéra national de Paris singing Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, and his house debut at Bayerische Staatsoper as Varlaam in Boris Godunov. He also returns to Washington National Opera to sing Ferrando in a new production of Il Trovatore and Orest in a new production of Elektra. Orchestral engagements include Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde with the LA Philharmonic, his debut with the New York Philharmonic in the world premiere of a piece by Courtney Bryan written for him, Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death at Carnegie Hall with Daniele Rustioni conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and excerpts from Blanchard’s Champion with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Chamber Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Speedo also appears as a featured artist at the Richard Tucker Gala, and with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. This academic season sees Speedo as an artist in residence with Florida State University, which will include masterclasses with vocal students and a solo recital.

Speedo opened the Metropolitan Opera’s 2021/22 season as Uncle Paul in Terrence Blanchard’s Fire Shut up in my Bones, sang Varlaam in Stephen Wadsworth’s new production of Boris Godunov, reprised his Grammy Award winning role of Jake in Porgy and Bess, Colline in La bohème, and also Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos which was broadcast as part of the Met’s Live in HD series. He also appeared on a special concert to benefit Ukrainian refugees, singing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Additional operatic appearances included Colline in La bohème with the Wiener Staatsoper and in concert performances at the Grand Teton Festival conducted by Donald Runnicles. Speedo also made his house debut with Washington National Opera as Escamillo in Carmen, directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by music director Evan Rogister, his house debut at Santa Fe Opera as Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and returned to the Tanglewood Festival to sing Commendatore in a concert performance of Don Giovanni.

In the fall of 2016, Little, Brown and Company published Sing for Your Life, by New York Times journalist Daniel Bergner. The book tells the story of Speedo’s personal and artistic journey: from a trailer park in south-eastern Virginia and from time spent in Virginia’s juvenile facility of last resort to the Met stage. The New York Times’ Book Review called the book “one of the most inspiring stories I’ve come across in a long time,” and the Washington Post called it a “vital, compelling, and highly recommended book.” Sing for your Life has been honored with a number of recognitions, including The New York Times’ Bestseller and Editor’s Choice, the Washington Post’s Notable Book, and the Publishers Weekly Book of the Year.