José Cura Biographical Information

Bravo Cura

Celebrating José Cura--Singer, Conductor, Director

Biography

[Argentina] [Notable Dates] [Notable Quotables]

The first steps are sometimes awkward, and we often stumble before we learn to run.....

"In 1970, at age 8, Cura's first piano teacher sent him home with a note saying: "Little José is not very interested in music so it might be better if your find him another hobby."

By 2015, he had conquered the music world.

Never listen to the doubters; always follow your dream.

Early Musical Background

Born into a music-friendly family, José Cura plays six different instruments.

Cura first studied guitar with Juan di Lorenzo.

At 15, Cura made his debut as a choral conductor. A year later he began studying composition with Carlos Castro and piano with Zulma Cabrera.

In 1982, Cura began studies at the School of Arts of the National University of Rosario to develop his conducting and composition. In 1983 he became assistant conductor for the University choir. The choirmaster (also head of the conservatory) heard Mr. Cura vocalizing jazz improv during a rehearsal and convinced him to begin studying voice.

Cura's first public operatic performance was singing 'E lucevan le stelle' (after five voice lessons!)

At 21, he won a grant to study at the School of Arts of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, where he sang for several years in the theatre chorus while continuing his studies of composition and conducting.

** José Cura has composed several works, including religious works such as a Stabat Mater, a Requiem, a children's opera, a ballet based on the story of Pinocchio, and two wonderful numbers on Anhelo.

At 22, he appeared in his first opera, Massenet's Manon, in Buenos Aires. He was one of two croupiers in the Act 4 gambling scene and sang. 'Faites vos jeux, messieurs! Faites vox jeux!"

His first singing teachers weren't sure what to do with Cura's unique, masculine voice. After a few years of struggling, Cura gave up. He tried a second time (with much more success!) when he was in his mid 20s. He was conducting for a chamber opera group when the lead tenor withdrew. Cura stepped in and was heard by Gustavo Lopez, a tenor from the Colón. The rest is musical history--and the stuff of movies.

In 1988 he met Horacio Amauri who taught him the basis of his singing technique.

In 1991, José Cura auditioned for a place at the Teatro Colon but didn't get it. Convinced he had much to offer, Cura and his family packed their belongings and moved to Europe. Cura returned to Buenos Aires in triumph for a gala performance in 1994.

In 1992 he met the tenor Vittorio Terranova, who instructed him in the Italian operatic style.

In February 1992 he made his theatrical debut at Verona, playing the role of the father in Henze's Pollicino.

José Cura's first major role was as Jan in the Trieste production of Bibalo's Miss Julie in March 1993.

JC poses for article by Times mag

1991	Moves to Europe (16 April)
1993	*Sings first starring role: Jan in the opera Signorina Julia* by Antonio Bibola at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Trieste, Italy**	Professional Debut
1994	Wins Operalia in Mexico City (Sept)	Award
1994	*Makes American debut in Chicago as Loris Ipanoff in Fedora* (Nov)**	US Debut
1994	*Performs Roberto in Le Villi* at the Valle d'Itria Festival in Martina Franca, recorded live and available on CD (first commercial recording)**	First CD
1994	Returns to Argentina for gala concert at Teatro Colón (Dec)	Event
1995	*Makes English debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in the title role of Stiffelio* in the Verdi Festival (June)**	Royal Opera Debut
1995	*Debuts in Paris at the Paris Opéra Bastille in a new production of Nabucco* (Ismaele)**	Opéra Bastille Debut
1995	*Debuts as Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca* in the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago**	Role Debut
1996	*Takes part in the Melbourne and Sydney show The Puccini Spectacular, which was specially devised for his Australian debut (televised)*	Broadcast
1996	Debuts as Samson (signature role) in the Royal Opera House production of Camille Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila	Role Debut
1996	Debuts at the Wiener Staatsoper in Tosca	Staatsoper Debut
1996	*Sings first Turiddu in the Ravenna Festival production of Cavalleria rusticana* (televised and broadcast)**	Broadcast
1996	*Stars in a BBC documentary Great Composers* in honor of Giacomo Puccini, accompanied by Leontina Vaduva and Julia Migenes (Dec)**	Puccini Documentary
1997	*Debuts at La Scala in Milan as Enzo Grimaldo in Ponchielli's La Gioconda* (Jan)**	La Scala Debut
1997	Takes on the title role in Verdi's Otello (signature role) in Turin, with the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abbado and with Barbara Frittoli as Desdemona. La Nazione (Florence) ran the headline, 'José Cura: a new Otello is born!' Also becomes the youngest tenor to have his debut in role broadcast on television. (May)	Role Debut
1997	Wins Abbiati Award (the Italian critics' prize) for the category of 'Best male singer' for his performances in two Mascagni operas - Iris in Rome and Cavalleria Rusticana in Ravenna - and in Verdi's Il Corsaro in Turin (June)	Award
1997	Releases first recital CD, Puccini Arias	First Solo CD
1998	Debuts as Radames in the Franco Zefferelli production of Aida during the inaugural season of the New Imperial Theatre (Tokyo); marks the first time an opera production was fully built in Japan	Role Debut
1998	*Sings Des Grieux in Puccini's Manon Lescaut* at La Scala (released on CD and DVD)**	Role Debut/ CD/DVD
1998	Debuts at the Washington Opera (now National Opera) in Samson et Dalila	Theater Debut
1998	Opens the newly refurbished Teatro Massimo in Palermo in Aida	Event
1998	*Records Samson et Dalila* under baton of Sir Colin Davis**	CD
1998	Wins Orphée d'Or from Académie du Disque Lyrique (France) for his recording of Samson et Dalila	Award
1998	*Releases Anhelo, second recital CD, full of music from his homeland; first album conducted by Cura; first album to include composition by Cura*	CD
1999	*Stars as Radames in the first live electronic webcast of an opera--Aida* from Verona (June)**	Internet Broadcast
1999	*Debuts at Met on opening night in Cavalleria Rusticana; first tenor to do so since Caruso in 1902*	Historic
1999	*Receives Citizen of Honour by the city of Rosario and title of Professor Honoris Causa* from Argentinean University C.A.E.C.E**	Award
1999	*Records Pagliacci (signature role) with Barbara Frittoli and Simon Keenlyside, conducted by Riccardo Chailly*	CD
1999	Wins ECHO Klassik Award as singer of the year for recording of Samson et Dalila (Germany)	Award
2000	Creates Cuibar Productions to manage his career	Event
2000	*Headlines in a glorious Otello* at The Washington Opera (Feb/Mar)**	First Otello in US
2000	*Stars as Alfredo in La Traviata* a Paris, filmed on location and broadcast live around the world; available on CD (complete and highlights) and DVD**	Event /CD
2000	*Debuts as Manrico in Il Trovatore* at the Teatro Real in Madrid. (Nov)**	Role Debut (staged)
2000	Is knighted 'Chevalier de l’Ordre du Cedre' by Lebanese government	Award
2001	Appointed principal guest conductor for the Sinfonia Varsovia (through 2004)	Event
2001	Debuts as Don Carlo in Zurich (Jan)	Role Debut (Staged)
2001	*Appears in two highly successful Barbican (London) concerts with Daniela Dessi and the London Symphony Orchestra and releases DVD, A Passion for Verdi* (Feb)**	DVD
2001	Conducts first concert with Sinfonia Varsovia as principal guest conductor on 25 November	Conductor
2001	*Wins Best Artist of the Year, Grup de Liceistes (Barcelona) for single performance of Samson et Dalila* at Gran Teatro Liceu**	Award
2002	*Tapes London production of Il Trovatore* in May 2002 for DVD release by BBC (Winter 2002/3)**	DVD
2002	Creates own record label, Cuibar Phono Video (CPV)	Event
2002	Records first symphonic CD with Sinfonia Varsovia, Rachmaninov's 2nd (recorded in December 2001 and considered by many to be among the finest recordings ever of this work) and a recital disk, Aurora, (recorded February / March 2002) for release on the Cuibar label.	CD
2002	Wins "Ewa Czeszejko" Sachacka Foundation Award (Poland)	Award
2003	*Becomes first tenor in operatic history to conduct an opera (Cavallaria rusticana) on the same evening as he performs in an opera (as Canio in Pagliacci), in Hamburg (Feb)*	Event
2003	*Debuts as Calaf in Verona; stars in three different operas (Turandot, Carmen, and La Traviata) at the arena (June-July)*	Role Debut
2003	Wins Artist of the Year - Catullus Prize (Italy)	Award
2003	*Interprets the role of Jean in Massenet's rarely performed opera, Hérodiade, in Vienna*	Rarity
2003	Sings in the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney	Event
2004	*Conducts first multi-act opera, Verdi's Un ballo in maschera* in Piacenza, Italy (Feb)**	Conductor
2004	*Debuts as Dick Johnson in Puccini's Fanciulla del West* in Zurich**	Role Debut
2004	*Releases Dvořák Centenary Tribute* album in early 2004**	CD
2004	*Performs Carmen* in Seoul's Olympic Stadium in front of an audience of tens of thousands**	Event
2004	Runs Olympic torch on island of Oinousses, then sings the Olympic anthems and "Nessun dorma" before performing a very special concert in the Oinousses Amphitheatre (15 July)	Event
2004	Sings at the FIFA Centennial World Player Gala in Zurich Opera House	Event
2004	Becomes Citizen of Honor, Veszprém, Hungary	Award
2005	*Debuts at the Deutsch Oper (Berlin) as Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.*	Deutsch Oper Debut
2005	Accepts position as Vice President of British Youth Opera, joining a select group of of artists and patrons taking an active role in supporting the young singers of tomorrow	Mentor
2005	Sings at opening ceremony of the World Games in Duisburg, Germany	Event
2005	Stars *as Dick Johnson (signature role) in the opera La fanciulla del West* at the Royal opera House Covent Garden, London**	Performance
2005	*Conducts the Toscanini Orchestra in Rachmaninov's Piano Concert no 2* and Second Symphony (Italy)**	Conductor
2005	Wins 'Cittá di Piacenza' prize and becomes Citizen of Honor of Piacenza (Italy)	Award
2005	Is awarded 'Citta di Bavena' Prize from the Festival Umberto Giordano (Italy)	Award
2005	Becomes Patron to the New Devon Opera	Mentor
2006	*Conducts Madama Butterfly* at the Wiener Staatsoper**	Conductor
2006	Wins the 'Enric Granados' prize and the 'Insignia d'or dels Amics de L'Ópera de Lerida' (Spain)	Award
2006	Receives 'Giovanni Zanatello' Prize for best artist of 2005 Verona season (Italy)	Award
2007	*Performs lead role in Otello* at the Gran Liceu (Barcelona); production is recorded for release on DVD**	DVD
2007	*Premieres La commedia e finita,* an innovative combination of narrative, dance, and opera developed and directed by Maestro Cura, in Rijeka**	First production
2007	*Returns triumphantly to Argentina for Samson et Dalila,* the 50th Anniversary of the Monument to the Flag, and a special concert in Rosario**	Event
2007	*Premiers Sonetos,* a series of songs composed by Cura on Pablo Neruda's lyrics, at the "Mozarteum" of Rosario (Argentina)**	Composer
2007	Is named Socio Fundador Honorario by Portuguese Association Against Leukemia (Portugal)	Award
2007	Accepts position as visiting professor of voice at Royal Academy of Music (London)	Mentor
2007	Receives "Award for his professional and culture work all over the world"by the Lebanese Society of Rosario	Award
2008	Is awarded the 'Fundación Teatro Colón' award as the best Argentinian opera singer of 2007	Award
2008	*Debuts as Rodrigue in Massenet's opera Le Cid* at the Zurich Opernhaus**	Role Debut
2008	Debuts at the San Diego Opera as Canio in Pagliacci	Theater Debut
2008	*Publishes first book of photography, Espontáneas, published by Cuibar / Scheidegger & Spiess. Holds first photographic exhibition at the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona (Italy)*	Photographer
2008	*Serves as both director and set designer for Verdi's Un ballo in maschera* at the Köln opera house**	Multi-role
2008	*Stars as title character in Puccini's rarely produced second opera, Edgar,* restored to its original four act structure; performance is broadcast and recorded for release on DVD**	Rarity
2009	Is selected by the 'Fundación Konex' as one of the best 100 Argentinian artists of the last 10 years in the category of Male singers (1999 - 2008).	Award
2009	*Performs as both Turiddu in Cavalleria rustica* and Canio in Pagliacci at the Zurich Opernhaus; performances are recorded for release on DVD**	DVD
2009	Is awarded the Career Medal by the 'Fondazione Ugo Becattini' (Emilia Romagna, Italy) as one of the most complete contemporary artists	Award
2009	Conducts the Danubia Orchestra Óbuda (Budapest) in Bach's B Minor Mass	Conductor / Symphonic
2009	*Conducts La rondine* at Teatro Comunale, Bologna**	Conductor / Opera
2009	Holds multi-day master class, then conducts master class concert in Nancy	Mentor
2009	Donates 2000 compact disks to support the work of the NGO Padrinos Asturian, a charity group whose primary purpose is the sponsorship of underprivileged children and their full integration into society. The organization is headquartered in Oviedo with branches in Colombia and the United States	Mentor
2009	Joins the "TCK-TCK-TCK: Time for Climate Justice" campaign, an initiative of the Global Humanitarian Forum	Mentor
2010	*Stars in Met production of Stiffelio, the first star-driven staging in the theater since 1993.*	Event
2010	Headlines the Budapest Opera Ball	Event
2010	*Stars as Rodolpho in Puccini's La Bohème* in Zurich, role debut in fully staged performance**	Role Debut
2010	Performs first concert in South Korea at the Aram Concert Hall, Goyang (Seoul)
2010	*Designs set, directs production, and stars in Samson et Dalila* in Karlsruhe**	Multi-role
2010	Receives the prestigious "Österreicher Kammersänger" award by the Wiener Staatsoper on 2 December. The prize, literally meaning "Chamber singer", is an honorific title for distinguished singers which is given in Germany or Austria on the recommendation of relevant national institutions.	Award
2011	Returns to Teatro all Scala for month of Pagliacci	Broadcast
2011	Headlines first Crystal Ball in Bratislava	Event
2011	*Stars in South Korea BESETO Opera's first ever production of Samson* et Dalila (Seoul)**	Theater Debut
2011	*Heads cast in Pagliacci* in the Revolving Theater at the International Music Festival in Cesky-Krumlov**	Event
2011	Leads premiere of Zurich Opera's new production of Otello	Performance
2011	Performs for first time at Royal Danish Opera, starring in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci	Theater Debut
2011	Returns to Teatro alla Scala after 12 years, singing Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci	Performance
2012	*Directs, designs sets and costumes, and conducts La Rondine* in Nancy**	Multi-role
2012	*Releases Samson et Dalila,* recorded live at Badische Staatstheatre, as DVD under Arthaus label**	DVD
2012	*Directs and designs staging for critically acclaimed production of Cavalleria rusticana* and Pagliacci at Opera Royal de Wallonie**	Multi-role
2013	*Substitutes for sick tenor in Carmen* just 24 hours after landing in NYC for month-long starring role in Otello at the Metropolitan Opera**	Event
2013	Performs as Stiffelio for first time in appearance at the Monte Carlo Opera	Theater Debut
2013	*Stages, directs, and stars in a critically acclaimed production of Otello* at the Colón**	Multi-role
2013	Returns for the first time to ancestral homeland in Soria for a concert	Discovery
2013	Returns in triumph to Paris for first performance in decade, performing in concert at Salle Pleyel	Event
2013	Headlines sold-out charity concert in first-time appearance in Palace of Arts, Budapest	Mentor
2014	Stars in the Swedish opera production of Andrea Chénier	Performance
2014	Thrills Berlin audience in a series of "Festival América del Sur" concerts	Legacy
2014	Brings audience to their feet during stellar concert at Théâtre antique d'Orange	Broadcast
2014	*Performs in open-air production of Tosca* before live audience of 15,000; performance was broadcast**	Event
2014	Performs at Bolshoi for first time at Gala in honor of Elena Obratszova	Broadcast
2014	Attends premiere of Stabat Mater, composed by Cura as part of larger oratorio Ecce homo / Behold the man	Composer
2015	Stars in hugely successful cross-over concert with Mahó Andrea in Budapest	Event
2015	Conducts first Mahler work (Mahler 2º Symphony) in Nowy Sacz, Poland	Conducting Event
2015	*Brings acclaimed production of Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci* to Teatro Colón, stars as Canio**	Multi-role
2015	Receives “Mención de Honor Senador Domingo Faustino Sarmiento” in tribute to his career inside and outside the country by Argentine National Senate	Award
2015	Conducts free 'appreciation' concert at Buenos Aires' Centro Cultural Kirchner, featuring his co-stars from his Teatro Colón's production of Cav/Pag	Conducting Event
2015	*Performs signature role in Samson et Dalila* to great acclaim at the National Theater in Beijing, China**	Theater debut
2015	Creates a uniquely Scandinavian La Bohème , incorporating historic Swedish artists into a seamless rendition, leading to critical approval: "José Cura is indeed a phenomenon. This Bohème is grossly entertaining... All in all an utterly satisfying production."	Multi-role`
2015	Began his prestigious three-year artist in residence with the Prague Orchestra FOK with a program of works the he composed as settings for poems by poet Pablo Neruda	Artist in Residence
2015	Conducted the Beethoven Academy Orchestra for an evening declared to have been ‘an important artistic event,’ focusing on Polish music in Krakow	Conducting Event
2016	Wins La Fundació del Bàsquet Català recognition for on-going support to the youth of Barcelona	Award
2016	Conducted Otello in concert (also designed the staging and directed) in a 5,500 seat arena in Gyor.	Event
2016	Stars as Otello in Salzburg Easter Festival production, marking the first time appearing at this international known spectacle	Festival Debut
2016	Does triple duty at the Dubrovnik Festival: opened the event as conductor in a wide-ranging symphonic concert, followed that as tenor in a gala concert, and finished the week as a photographer with an exhibition of his work: Espontáneas.	Triple Threat
2016	*Creates new Turandot* for Opéra Royal de Wallonie (Liège), designing the staging, directing, and starring in a critically acclaimed production**	Multi-role success
2017	*Presents world premiere of his oratorio Ecce Homo* in Prague**	Composer/performer
2017	Stars in his first Wagner, Tannhäuser, at Opéra de Monte-Carlo in the original Paris version in French, earning glowing reviews: "passionate and generous,” “sensational,” “shines as much with the liquidity of the timbre of his voice as he does by his technical ability,” “conquered yet another role brilliantly,” “undeniably moving."	First Wagner
2017	Receives the Onegin Award based on his career-spanning creative collaborative relationship with Russia, becoming the first non-Russian artist to receive the honor	Award
2017	*Stitches together a personal vision of Peter Grimes, designing the set and directing as well as starring in a production that created a transformative vision of the stranger among us*	First English-language role
2017	Following a highly successful run as Andrea Chénier at Teatro Colón, receives the title of ‘Honorary Professor’ from the National University of Rosario	Award
2018	Brings his Canio to Muscat, Oman, in an Opera Rome production in an effort to introduce opera to the country	Theater debut
2018	*Creates a stylized Nabucco* for Prague Opera using color and costumes as reference points and a unique stage framing that directed attention to the action point of each scene**	Director
2018	*A Cura production of Cav/Pag* is offered in San Francisco, the first time one of the artist’s works has been presented in the US.**	Production first
2018	*Produces and conducts La fanciulla del west* in Tallinn**	Multi-role
2018	*Appears in a semi-staged production of Samson et Dalila* in St Petersburg as the city celebrated Olga Borodina's 30 years of artistic excellence; broadcast live to an international audience**	Event
2019	Becomes first ever Principle Guest Artist for the Hungarian Radio Arts Group	Guest Artist
2019	Wins the László Bíró Award in Budapest for furthering the relationship between Argentina and Hungary	Award

Without Make-up: The Real José Cura

From Gay.Tv

He has been on the stages of theatres the world over. These days, he also gives himself to conducting. Here’s a look at his private side, at his passions and his fears.

His principal character trait?

Obstinacy.

His principal flaw?

The same: being too stubborn.

Sign of the Zodiac?

Sagittarius. Pisces ascendant.

Superstitions?

Absolutely not.

What did he always want to be when he grew up?

An adult. The kind of man we call “serious”; in reality I have remained the perpetual child.

Ever screamed revenge?

Only in operas. In real life, that doesn’t lead to anything.

The book that has left a mark on you?

The Mediocre Man. A book by José Ingenieros, an Argentinean philosopher. I reread some chapters, some parts of it often.

What is lacking the most in your life at present?

Certainly the time for everything that I do and would like to do. It seems to me that I never have enough of it.

What importance do you attribute to money?

I believe the right and proper one: I have known how it is to live without and now that, thank God, I’m not wanting, I realize there is a great deal of difference.

What are you worried about?

It bothers me to think of not being present for what’s going on in my family, however big or small these things may be: from my son’s ballgame to my teenage daughter’s first love. In essence, it worries me to be an absentee father.

What kind of authority and power would you like to have? A political role?

Political; absolutely not! I have been offered posts as artistic director and other positions in the music field, but at present, I intend to make more music, to sing and conduct.

Who or what embarrasses you?

More than embarrassed I feel irritated about those who consider my career for the most part tied to being, shall we say… “fairly good-looking”. I believe that I have proven myself a serious professional, the ‘afterlife’, so to speak, of my strengths and weaknesses. My looks already show the marks of time. I’m getting greyer all the time; the process is relentless.

The circumstance that’s the most relaxing and calming?

To be at home….I also would like to succeed in staying put at the house for 15 days in a row!

Favorite subject in school?

I must confess that I did not like school much. I used to be an ‘anarchist’; I used to escape the rules that school imposes on you. However, I mainly loved subjects that dealt with the humanities.

Favorite city?

I don’t have a favorite city. I am a citizen of the world. A true gypsy.

Favorite color?

Red.

The ideal vacation?

To be at home.

Day or night person?

With the type work I do, I find myself living at night to a great extend. But by nature, I am not a night owl.

The film you like best?

I have always liked Spielberg’s “Hook” very much and still do. As a father, it has made me think a lot, and I would recommend it to all fathers.

The season of the year?

Spring.

Your relationship to food?

A note of regret. Just now that I have gone on a diet again, it is a, shall we say…delicate subject. It is clear that I have a very good relationship with food.

Favorite dish?

Nothing fancy. Plain pasta but literally smothered in aged Parmesan…you could say that I eat Parmesan with a little pasta for decoration.

Red or white wine?

Red wine for sure. I would say a full-bodied wine like the “Barolo”.

And in your dressing room?

I’m Spartan. No particular object. Only a bottle of water and one of tea.

How would you want to die?

If possible of old age, but I would add two options: one-an “heroic” death, battling an illness. The other, let’s say, an ‘easier’ and more painless death: in my sleep.

Your frame of mind at present?

Positive to the max.

Your motto?

Carpe diem—Seize the day and make the most of it.