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Biography |
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Home |About Me |Articles |Biography |Calendar Archives |Concerts |Conducting |Discography |News |Operas |Quick Views |Quotable Cura |Reviews |Snap It
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Vita
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Early Musical Background
Born into a music-friendly family, José Cura plays six different instruments. Cura first studied guitar with Juan di Lorenzo. At 15, Cura made his debut as a choral conductor. A year later he began studying composition with Carlos Castro and piano with Zulma Cabrera. In 1982, Cura began studies at the School of Arts of the National University of Rosario to develop his conducting and composition. In 1983 he became assistant conductor for the University choir. The choirmaster (also head of the conservatory) heard Mr. Cura vocalizing jazz improv during a rehearsal and convinced him to begin studying voice. Cura's first public operatic performance was singing 'E lucevan le stelle' (after five voice lessons!) At 21, he won a grant to study at the School of Arts of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, where he sang for several years in the theatre chorus while continuing his studies of composition and conducting. ** José Cura has composed several works, including religious works such as a Stabat Mater, a Requiem, a children's opera, a ballet based on the story of Pinocchio, and two wonderful numbers on Anhelo. At 22, he appeared in his first opera, Massenet's Manon, in Buenos Aires. He was one of two croupiers in the Act 4 gambling scene and sang. 'Faites vos jeux, messieurs! Faites vox jeux!" His first singing teachers weren't sure what to do with Cura's unique, masculine voice. After a few years of struggling, Cura gave up. He tried a second time (with much more success!) when he was in his mid 20s. He was conducting for a chamber opera group when the lead tenor withdrew. Cura stepped in and was heard by Gustavo Lopez, a tenor from the Colón. The rest is musical history--and the stuff of movies. In 1988 he met Horacio Amauri who taught him the basis of his singing technique. In 1991, José Cura auditioned for a place at the Teatro Colon but didn't get it. Convinced he had much to offer, Cura and his family packed their belongings and moved to Europe. Cura returned to Buenos Aires in triumph for a gala performance in 1994. In 1992 he met the tenor Vittorio Terranova, who instructed him in the Italian operatic style. In February 1992 he made his theatrical debut at Verona, playing the role of the father in Henze's Pollicino. José Cura's first major role was as Jan in the Trieste production of Bibalo's Miss Julie in March 1993. |
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Scenes from a Musical Life
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Without Make-up: The Real José Cura
From Gay.Tv
He has been on the stages of theatres the world over. These days, he also gives himself to conducting. Here’s a look at his private side, at his passions and his fears.
His principal character trait?
Obstinacy.
His principal flaw?
The same: being too stubborn.
Sign of the Zodiac?
Sagittarius. Pisces ascendant.
Superstitions?
Absolutely not.
What did he always want to be when he grew up?
An adult. The kind of man we call “serious”; in reality I have remained the perpetual child.
Ever screamed revenge?
Only in operas. In real life, that doesn’t lead to anything.
The book that has left a mark on you?
The Mediocre Man. A book by José Ingenieros, an Argentinean philosopher. I reread some chapters, some parts of it often.
What is lacking the most in your life at present?
Certainly the time for everything that I do and would like to do. It seems to me that I never have enough of it.
What importance do you attribute to money?
I believe the right and proper one: I have known how it is to live without and now that, thank God, I’m not wanting, I realize there is a great deal of difference.
What are you worried about?
It bothers me to think of not being present for what’s going on in my family, however big or small these things may be: from my son’s ballgame to my teenage daughter’s first love. In essence, it worries me to be an absentee father.
What kind of authority and power would you like to have? A political role?
Political; absolutely not! I have been offered posts as artistic director and other positions in the music field, but at present, I intend to make more music, to sing and conduct.
Who or what embarrasses you?
More than embarrassed I feel irritated about those who consider my career for the most part tied to being, shall we say… “fairly good-looking”. I believe that I have proven myself a serious professional, the ‘afterlife’, so to speak, of my strengths and weaknesses. My looks already show the marks of time. I’m getting greyer all the time; the process is relentless.
The circumstance that’s the most relaxing and calming?
To be at home….I also would like to succeed in staying put at the house for 15 days in a row!
Favorite subject in school?
I must confess that I did not like school much. I used to be an ‘anarchist’; I used to escape the rules that school imposes on you. However, I mainly loved subjects that dealt with the humanities.
Favorite city?
I don’t have a favorite city. I am a citizen of the world. A true gypsy.
Favorite color?
Red.
The ideal vacation?
To be at home.
Day or night person?
With the type work I do, I find myself living at night to a great extend. But by nature, I am not a night owl.
The film you like best?
I have always liked Spielberg’s “Hook” very much and still do. As a father, it has made me think a lot, and I would recommend it to all fathers.
The season of the year?
Spring.
Your relationship to food?
A note of regret. Just now that I have gone on a diet again, it is a, shall we say…delicate subject. It is clear that I have a very good relationship with food.
Favorite dish?
Nothing fancy. Plain pasta but literally smothered in aged Parmesan…you could say that I eat Parmesan with a little pasta for decoration.
Red or white wine?
Red wine for sure. I would say a full-bodied wine like the “Barolo”.
And in your dressing room?
I’m Spartan. No particular object. Only a bottle of water and one of tea.
How would you want to die?
If possible of old age, but I would add two options: one-an “heroic” death, battling an illness. The other, let’s say, an ‘easier’ and more painless death: in my sleep.
Your frame of mind at present?
Positive to the max.
Your motto?
Carpe diem—Seize the day and make the most of it.
Translation: M.B.
Last Updated: Friday, October 21, 2011
© Copyright: Kira
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