NEW YORK — Lisette Oropesa impresses Peter Gelb as more than a singer. Lisette Oropesa shines in Met’s ‘I Puritani’ and earns praise from Peter Gelb “She reminds me a little bit of Beverly Sills,” the Metropolitan Opera general manager said. “She seems to have that kind of intellectual quickness. She’s extremely astute and she connects with people. Who knows? Maybe someday she’ll be running the Met?” Sills was a top soprano before heading New York City Opera from 1979-89, then chairing the Met board from 2002-05 and overseeing Gelb’s hiring. A 42-year-old soprano who grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Oropesa is starring with tenor Lawrence Brownlee in the Met’s first new staging of Bellini’s “I Puritani” since the heralded 1976 production with Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland. Last week’s opening received rave reviews after Oropesa shimmered through the difficult coloratura. This Saturday’s performance will be televised worldwide. “I’ve been wanting to sing it forever. I think it’s Bellini’s best work,” Oropesa said. “I find `Puritani’ is one of the exceptions to the bel …