On the Couch with Jose Carbo

Jose Carbo Arts Review On the CouchWho is Jose Carbo?
Jose Carbo. Freelance Baritone.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’m Sydney based. Life in Spain is very appealing. One day…

Who inspires you and why?
The great singers of past generations. My ear has always (for reasons still unknown) understood classical singing technique. My visceral would not be the same if ever I abandoned the search for that perfect performance.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Spread as much encouragement and love as possible. Two ingredients we simply can’t get enough of.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Fiji, Thailand, Bali etc. The equator (or vicinity to) is the common thread. My body works and relaxes best in the heat.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Coogee beach. Just perfect on a summer’s day. The Blue Mountains. Close by yet far enough away to allow the lungs to breath fresh eucalypt scented air.

What are you currently reading?
The Pearl Fishers by Bizet. Over and over and over… God I hate memorising!

What are you currently listening to?
The same opera. I must admit I prefer listening to it a lot more than reading it.

Happiness is?
Good friends, family, food, music and alcohol. All at the same time and in the same place!

What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully lots of the above and more opportunities to sing around the world.

Australian baritone, José Carbó was born in Argentina and moved to Australia at an early age. Winner of the prestigious Australian Singing Competition Opera Award in 2005, he has studied under Thais Taras, Arax Mansourian and Margaret Baker Genovesi in Rome.

José made his début with Opera Australia in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos (2002) and was soon engaged for their production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia in the title role. His 2005 European début was at the Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma, with the title role in Le nozze di Figaro. That same year, he sang the title role in Il Barbiere di Siviglia for the Teatro Real in Madrid. He made his La Scala debut in 2009 in Il viaggio a Reims and his American debut in 2011 as Rossini’s Figaro in Seattle.

Most recently José has sung Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Rossini’s Barbiere, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor, Marcello in La bohème, Silvio in Pagliacci, Lescaut in Manon, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and First Officer in Madeline Lee for Opera Australia.

In 2006, José undertook a tour as the baritone soloist with the Sydney Symphony to Japan where he sang three Don Quixote songs by Ravel in Tokyo and Osaka. Engagements for Opera Australia since 2012 have included Il barbiere, Die tote Stadt (Helpmann Award), Germont in La traviata, Anckarström in a new production of Un ballo in maschera, and Rodrigo in Don Carlos. In 2015 José joined the roster of principal artists at The Metropolitan Opera, New York.

José’s debut album, My Latin Heart (recorded with Slava & Leonard Grigoryan) debuted at No. 1 on the Limelight Classical Music charts. A performance of My Latin Heart will take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall on Thursday 12 November 2015. For more information, visit: www.cityrecitalhall.com for details.

Image: José Carbó