Nicolae Herlea (Romanian: [nikoˈla.e ˈherle̯a]; 28 August 1927 – 24 February 2014) was a highly acclaimed Romanian operatic baritone, particularly associated with the Italian repertory, especially the role of Rossini's Figaro, which he sang around 550 times during his career and the title role of Rigoletto.
He made his stage debut that same year at the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest as Silvio in Pagliacci, quickly establishing himself as the principal baritone there.
In 1958, he began appearing abroad, particularly at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, to where he regularly returned.
He made complete studio recordings of Il barbiere di Siviglia, Lucia di Lammermoor, Rigoletto, La traviata, La forza del destino, Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, andTosca, on labels such as Supraphon and Electrecord.
During the last years of his life, Herlea lived in Frankfurt, Germany, with his wife and sons.