In August 2018, Julian Kim once again returned to Teatro La Fenice as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, performing in the theater’s beloved traditional production. By now a familiar and well-loved presence among Venetian opera audiences, Kim received warm applause for his portrayal — a role he had made his own over the years. One review highlighted the strength of his interpretation alongside Omar Montanari’s Bartolo, calling both “undeniably leading interpreters” of their respective roles.

Kim’s Figaro was described as witty and charismatic, commanding the stage with both presence and vocal finesse. His full, well-shaped voice combined with refined phrasing gave life to a nuanced and confident factotum, far from passing trends that favor a lighter timbre. What was once seen as great promise had clearly matured into a compelling artistic voice. The critic noted that Kim’s vocal qualities — dark-hued yet flexible across the range — seemed to signal an inevitable move toward Verdi, with rising anticipation for his upcoming debut as Rodrigo (Posa) in Don Carlo at La Fenice in November 2019.