Rolando Villazon

Rolando Villazón

tenor

Through his uniquely compelling performances with leading opera houses and orchestras around the world, Rolando Villazón has firmly established himself as one of the music world’s most critically acclaimed and beloved stars and as one of the leading tenors of our day. The Times wrote of a recent performance in London “he’s simply Villazón: back again with his trademark exuberance, ringing tenor, and frightening ability to act a part.”

It was as the winner of 1999 Plácido Domingo’s “Operalia” Competition that Rolando Villazón first burst on the international music scene. He made his European debut that same year as Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon in Genoa, swiftly followed by further debuts at what would become two of his future artistic homes: the Opéra de Paris as Alfredo in La traviata; and the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth.

He went on to become one of the most sought-after performers of his generation,  as highlighted by a string of highly successful debuts with Europe’s leading opera houses. Listing all of his successes, debuts and roles would be time-taking; to list just his signature roles must do: Rodolfo in La bohème, Gounod’s Roméo, Massenet’s Werther, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, Des Grieux, the title role in Les contes d’Hoffmann and the Duke inRigoletto. He received renown of broad public after his Salzburg debut as Alfredo in a new production of La traviata alongside Anna Netrebko and Thomas Hampson. Deutsche Grammophon released both CD and DVD recordings of the production in 2005. Since his acclaimed debut with the Metropolitan Opera New York as Alfredo, he has returned to star in performances as Verdi’s Duke and Rodolfo.

An acclaimed and popular concert artist and recitalist, Rolando Villazón has appeared with leading orchestras and conductors on concert stages all over the world, including appearances at the Salzburg Festival, London’s Barbican and Royal Festival Halls, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, Berlin, Munich and Cologne Philharmonie, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, as well as sold-out concerts in amongst others New York, Miami, Vancouver, Tokyo, Toulouse, Monte Carlo, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Prague, Zurich, Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Madrid, and Copenhagen.

Rolando Villazón begins the 2010-11 season with his long-awaited La Scala debut as Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. He returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for performances of Werther conducted by Antonio Pappano and to Zurich Opera for a new production of Mozart´s Il re pastore led by William Christie, before closing the season with his role debut as Don Ottavio in concert performances of Don Giovanni in Baden-Baden. Rolando Villazón can be heard in concerts and recitals extensively throughout the season.

Rolando Villazón’s vast discography includes a recital of Italian arias, a recital of arias by Gounod and Massenet, as well as an “Opera Recital”, all for EMI/Virgin Classics. The same label has also released recordings of Monteverdi’s Il combattimento di Tancredi and I Lamenticonducted as well as a Zarzuela CD entitled “Gitano” led by Plácido Domingo. All recordings have won unanimous critical praise. DVD releases for EMI/Virgin Classics also include the Vienna State Opera production of L’elisir d’amore, and for Decca the Los Angeles Opera production of La traviata opposite Renée Fleming. Further releases on EMI/Virgin Classics include a recording of Verdi’s Requiem with the Academy of Santa Cecilia, conducted by Antonio Pappano and a recording of Vivaldi’s Ercole led by Fabio Biondi.

Born in Mexico City, he began his musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music before entering young artist programs in Pittsburgh and at San Francisco Opera. A recipient of many prestigious awards, Rolando Villazón has been named a Chévalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest awards in the fields of arts and literature in France, his permanent base.