René Barbera, winner of Operalia 2011, makes his LA Opera debut. In 2011, he performed Tonio in The Daughter of the Regiment for Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Engagements for the 2011/12 season include Almaviva in The Barber of Seville for debuts with Vancouver Opera and San Antonio Opera, and his Canadian Opera Company debut as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. Future engagements include Ramiro with Seattle Opera and Ernesto in Don Pasquale with Lyric Opera of Chicago. (www.renebarbera.com)