JOSE SIMERILLA ROMERO
TENOR
BIOGRAPHY
Praised for his “ample voice of arresting quality” (Opera News) and “power, passion and lyrical finesse” (Opera Magazine), in the 2025/26 season, Argentinian-Spanish-American tenor Jose Simerilla Romero returns to the role of Alfredo in La traviata with Theater Basel, Komische Oper Berlin, Festival Internacional de Santa Lucia, and in his debut with Bregenzer Festspiele. He also returns to the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in his debut with Teatro Municipal de Santiago, sings Rodolfo in La bohéme with Semperoper Dresden, Ildemaro in Dalinda with Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and sings a gala performance with the Sigulda Opera Festival in Latvia.
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Last season he sang Alfredo in La Traviata with Theater Basel, Dorset Opera and Opera Western Reserve, sang his first performances of Faust in Boito’s Mefistofele in his debut with Semperoper Dresden, his first performances of Cavaradossi in Tosca in a co-production with Opéra de Limoges and Opéra de Vichy, made his Deutsche Oper Berlin debut as Ismaele in Nabucco, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in his debut with New National Theater Tokyo, returned to Staatsoper Hannover for staged performances of Verdi’s Requiem, and joined acclaimed soprano Eric Nakamura in concert with Latvian National Opera.
Mr. Romero recently made his English National Opera debut as Alfredo in La Traviata, made his role and company debut as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Dorset Opera, joined the Neue Philharmonie München in concert, and returned to Staatsoper Hannover for his role debut as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, and Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.
Other recent performances include Laërte in Hamlet in his Komische Oper debut, Rodolfo in La bohéme, Prince Gwidon in Zar Saltan, and Chevalier de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites with Staatsoper Hannover, both Alfredo in La traviata and Rodolfo in La bohéme with Nederlandse Reisopera, his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut as Jaquino in Fidelio under the baton of Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, Rodolfo in La bohéme with the Grand Tetons Music Festival under the baton of Donald Runnicles, the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto in his debuts with both Florida Grand Opera and Daytona Symphony, his San Francisco Symphony debut as the Shepard in Oedipus Rex. On the concert stage, the tenor has performed Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Bach’s St John Passion, Handel’s Messiah, and Brahms’ Liebeslier Walzer.
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Mr. Simerilla Romero is an Award Winner from 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, Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions, the Manhattan International Music Competition, Kyrenia Opera Vocal Competition, Vienna International Music Competition, Berliner International Music Competition, the 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, the Carnegie Hall 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.
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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."