Simon Lim

Born in Daegu, Simon Lim graduated in 2007 from Youngnam University in Gyeongsan and then moved to Italy to continue his studies at the Accademia di Perfezionamento of the Teatro alla Scala, meanwhile placing in International Competitions and winning third prize at Operalia 2010. On the stage of La Scala, he took part in the Academy's productions as the protagonist in Le nozze di Figaro and in Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali; then he appeared in Gianni Schicchi conducted by Chailly, Don Carlo conducted by Gatti and in Un ballo in maschera.

Among the theatres where he is a regular guest are the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv and the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona.

He made his debut at the Teatro La Fenice as Yorg in Stiffelio, returning every season in various roles, including Balthasar in La favorite, Raimondo in Lucia, Oroveso in Norma, Banco in Macbeth in the opening production conducted by Chung and directed by Michieletto, Oroe in the complete version of Semiramide, Timur in Turandot, Ramfis in Aida, and Ferrando in Il Trovatore. He also performs at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Glyndebourne Festival, the Teatro Regio in Turin, the Bilbao Opera and the Den Norske Opera in Oslo.

His engagements include Procida in I vespri siciliani, Ratcliffe in Billy Budd, President Wu Virtu in Mohammed Fairouz's new creation The New Prince, Filippo II, Zaccaria, debuts at the San Francisco Opera, the Canadian Opera in Toronto and the Teatro Real in Madrid, Un ballo in maschera, Turandot and Norma at the Maggio Musicale, Il Trovatore, Bianca e Fernando, Romèo et Juliette, Don Carlos, Nabucco, Mefistofele, Rigoletto and La Gioconda, La juive, Padre Guardiano in La forza del destino, Banco in Macbeth, Rigoletto and Mignon.

He made his debut at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona in 2013 as the Barone di Kelbar in Un giorno di regno; he returned in 2015 as Padre Guardiano in La forza del destino, in 2016 as Alidoro in La Cenerentola and in 2020 he was Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor. For the 2022 Opera Season, he performed the role of Alvise Badoero in Ponchielli's La Gioconda, a new production that also toured the theatres of OperaLombardia. At the Arena di Verona in 2022, he interpreted the King in Aida and took part in the gala evening with Domingo, Verdi Opera Night. He has been a regular guest at the Festival as the King in Aida since 2023. For the 102° Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2025, he also performed Ramfis and made his debut as Zaccaria in Verdi's Nabucco, in the new production by Stefano Poda. He returns for the 103° Arena Opera Festival 2026.

Biography updated to July 2026