1998

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• José Cura wins the Orphée d'Or. The prize is awarded by the Académie du Disque Lyrique of France for his recording of Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns in the role of Samson.


• José Cura debuts the role of Radames in Verdi's Aida at the New Imperial Theatre of Tokyo in the inaugural season of the theatre; Aida marks the first time an opera production was fully built in Japan.
• José Cura sings his first Des Grieux in Puccini's Manon Lescaut at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. (Released in CD and DVD video)
• José Cura debuts in Washington Opera House, singing Samson.