World-famous for his intense and original interpretations of opera characters, notably Verdi's Otello and Saint-Saëns' Samson, as well as for his unconventional and innovative concert performances, José Cura is the first artist to have sung and conducted simultaneously (both in concert and on recordings) and the first to combine singing with symphonic works in a ‘half and half' concert format.

Cura made operatic history when he first conducted Cavalleria Rusticana and then stepped on stage after intermission to sing Canio in Pagliacci at the Hamburg Opera in February 2003. A compelling actor and charismatic stage performer, Cura has been featured in numerous telecasts of opera and concert productions from venues around the world. Blessed with a rich, burnished tenor voice, mesmerizing stage presence and abundant charm, José Cura has been thrilling audiences since he first burst onto the international music scene. His intelligent, insightful, sometimes controversial but always intense and unforgettable performances have made him a familiar name atop marquees at the most prestigious theaters in the world, including Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Vienna State Opera, Grand Teatro Liceu, Zurich Opera House and Teatro alla Scala.


But Cura is much more than an operatic superstar. He is a trained composer and conductor, a fine guitarist, a brilliant performer, a natural showman determined to use the best music to engage, entertain, and educate. His concerts, whether held outside in front of thousands or in the more intimate setting of a music hall, feature a fine fusion of arias, pop tunes and orchestral pieces, the latter often conducted with unmistakable flare by Cura himself.

He has recently premiered "La commedia e finita": an opera, prose and dance show for which he has been in charge of the set design and direction.