JOSE CARBO ANNOUNCED WINNER OF THE 2004 OPERA AWARDS

- Press Release -

Roland Gridiger, Director of the Australian Singing Competition, is pleased to announce that the Opera Awards have this year been won by José Carbó.  As winner, the Argentinian-born baritone, selected from a field of 6 Finalists, receives the coveted Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Award, the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship, the Haas Award and other subsidiary prizes.  The adjudication panel of Richard Bonynge (Chair), Elizabeth Connell and Bruce Martin were all impressed by the high standard of the singers.

José was educated in Australia and, after training as a builder and carpenter, established and managed his own construction business until taking up Diploma of Opera studies at the NSW Conservatorium of Music in 1995.  In the uncertain business of a singing career such practical skills will provide the security of a back-up income if necessary but, with Jose’s obvious star quality, it is unlikely he will need to call on them!

Working as a freelance opera singer since 2000, José has been engaged by Opera Australia, State Opera South Australia and by Opera Queensland where he distinguished himself in the title role of Don Giovanni in 2003.  In 2004 he will appear, at the request of the composer, in the world premiere of John Haddock’s opera Madeline Lee for Opera Australia. He has also performed extensively in concert and toured Japan with Slava Grigoryan at the invitation of the Japanese government.

Set to star in Opera Australia’s production of The Barber of Seville and already in demand to perform the role with companies overseas, José Carbó is a name to watch for.   

For background information on the competition, visit the website on www.aussing.com.au