JOSE SIMERILLA ROMERO
TENOR
BIOGRAPHY
Praised for his “ample voice of arresting quality” (Opera News) and “power, passion and lyrical finesse” (Opera Magazine), Argentinian-Spanish-American tenor Jose Simerilla Romero’s 2026/27 season includes a return to the role of Alfredo in La traviata with the Bregenz Music Festival and Teatro Cervantes de Málaga. He makes his debuts with the Lyric Opera of Kansas and the Prague National Theatre as Rodolfo in La bohème, appears with San Diego Opera as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, and performs as tenor soloist in Apocalipsis with the RTVE Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. On the concert stage, he joins the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra in Finland and appears as guest artist with the Asociación Mexicana de Maestros de Canto (AMMCA) in Torreón, Mexico, presenting both a concert and masterclass. The season culminates with his Metropolitan Opera debut, where he joins the company as cover for the role of Cassio in Verdi’s Otello.
Last season he returned to the role of Alfredo in La traviata with Theater Basel, Komische Oper Berlin, and Festival Internacional de Santa Lucía. He also returned to the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in his debut with Teatro Municipal de Santiago and New National Theatre Tokyo, sang Rodolfo in La bohème with Semperoper Dresden and Teatro Massimo di Palermo, appeared as Ildemaro in Donizetti’s Dalinda with the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, sang Cavaradossi in Tosca with HNK Split Opera and Opera de Limoges, and joined the Sigulda Opera Festival in Latvia for a gala concert performance.
Other recent performances include his English National Opera debut as Alfredo in La traviata; his role and company debut as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Dorset Opera; concerts with the Neue Philharmonie München; and a return to Staatsoper Hannover for his role debut as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, and Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.
In addition, Mr. Romero sang Laërte in Hamlet in his Komische Oper debut, Rodolfo in La bohème, Prince Gwidon in The Tale of Tsar Saltan, and Chevalier de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites with Staatsoper Hannover. He has also appeared as Alfredo in La traviata and Rodolfo in La bohème with Nederlandse Reisopera, made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut as Jaquino in Fidelio under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, sang Rodolfo in La bohème with the Grand Teton Music Festival under Donald Runnicles, made his Duke of Mantua debut in Rigoletto with both Florida Grand Opera and the Daytona Symphony, and made his San Francisco Symphony debut as the Shepherd in Oedipus Rex.
On the concert stage, the tenor has performed Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Bach’s St. John Passion, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer, and numerous gala and symphonic concert engagements throughout Europe, North America, and Latin America.
Mr. Simerilla Romero is an award winner of the 41st International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, the Chicago International Music Competition, the Camerata Bardi International Vocal Competition, the Jensen Foundation International Vocal Competition, the Opera Foundation Competition, the Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions, the Manhattan International Music Competition, the Kyrenia Opera Vocal Competition, the Vienna International Music Competition, the Berliner International Music Competition, Vero Beach Opera’s “Rising Star” International Competition, the Orpheus Vocal Competition, and the Tampa Bay Symphony Jack Heller Competition.
He has participated in Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy, the LA Opera Young Artist Program, the Dutch National Opera & Ballet Studio, and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, and holds degrees from both Valencia College and Stetson University.
"MY COMMITMENT TO AUTHENTICITY WILL BE MY GUIDE."
WHY DO YOU SING ?
"Music has always filled my household. Both of my parents are huge lovers and admirers of classical music and opera. The voices of Mario Lanza, Jussi Björling, Franco Corelli, and the popular Three Tenors surrounded me growing up. Since the crib, I have always enjoyed the emotional connection and joy I feel when listening and singing along with their music. My father is my greatest inspiration. People truly love his voice. He always wanted to be a singer and possessed natural raw talent to succeed, but due to his family's views toward a musical career, he was never given the chance. It's his greatest regret. So when I chose to pursue a career in music, his encouragement became my source of inspiration.
I honestly feel that I have found my true calling. I am never more passionate or feel more free than when I sing. I believe music is truly the most perfect expression of emotion, and as long as I make music and pursue this dream, I know that my commitment to authenticity will be my guide. There are millions of singers with great voices, but many of them don't sing from the heart. Singing with heart is the goal; singing with heart is the key ingredient. Anything less is cheating the audience, and ultimately cheating yourself."