René Barbera

René Barbera began singing at the age of 10 as a boy soprano in the San Antonio Boys’ Choir. He graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts Fletcher Opera Institute in Spring 2008, where he performed lead roles in the Fletcher Opera Institute productions of Ottario in Belisario, Arbace in Idomeneo and in his final semester performed the role of Lippo Fiorentino in the Fletcher Opera Institute’s Street Scene.

In 2006, he won first place in the 5th annual Heafner/Williams Vocal Competition as well as first place in the undergraduate division of the Charlotte Opera Guild Vocal Competition. In 2007, he participated in the Charles A. Lynam Vocal Competition where he received the grand prize of a concert with the Greensboro Symphony on September 13, 2008.

Mr. Barbera was one of 5 equal winners of the Metropolitan National Council Audition Grand Finals 2008. This past summer he participated in the Merola Opera Program where he performed in the Schwabacher Sumer Concert as well as the Merola Grand Finale.

Mr. Barbera is currently a member of the Florida Grand Opera’s young artist program and will perform the roles of Gastone in La Traviata, Hadji in Lakmé and covering Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola.