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Rolando VilazonMexican tenor
Country:
 Mexico |
Content:
- Mexican Tenor
- Competition with Legendary Singers
- Temperament on Stage
- Interviewer: So, you are Othello in real life too?!
- Fears in Life
Mexican Tenor
When Luciano Pavarotti announced his retirement from the stage, the music community began searching for a candidate to fill the vacant spot in the famous trio: Pavarotti - Domingo - Carreras. By unanimous consent, Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón took on this role. He is often compared to a young Plácido Domingo and referred to as "piccolo Domingo". His voice is described as "chocolaty, nimble, passionate". Rolando Villazón is a representative of the new generation of opera stars. He was born in 1972 in Mexico City and started professionally studying music at the age of 11. His career took off rapidly: in 1999, the young singer became a laureate of the II prize of Plácido Domingo's "Operalia" competition, where he also won the audience prize. From there, he made his debuts on the most famous stages in the world: at the Geneva Opera, Opéra Bastille in Paris, Berlin State Opera, Covent Garden in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York...
Competition with Legendary Singers
Interviewer: José Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo - universally recognized singers. Do you think Rolando Villazón can compete with them?
Rolando Villazón: I have no intention of competing with them! Of course, the names you mentioned are idols to me. Pavarotti and Domingo have done A LOT for the world of opera. Thanks to them, opera became popular not only among a select few. They built their careers. As for me, I plan to work very, very hard. Every single day, I will continue to learn the craft of opera. I will build my OWN career, not imitate someone else. My destiny in opera is turning out to be exceptionally fortunate. I must be lucky. At the moment, I am completely satisfied with what is happening in my work and my family life. I am filled with happiness, and it's wonderful! (Laughs.)
Temperament on Stage
Interviewer: Latin American men are considered to be excessively emotional. Does your temperament help or hinder you on stage?
Rolando Villazón: Sometimes emotions overwhelm me, but I still believe that temperament is my ally. Usually, all of my opera characters are very passionate, jealous men. Therefore, being emotional helps me create the characters on stage.
Interviewer: So, you are Othello in real life too?!
Rolando Villazón: (Laughs.) My wife gives me no reason to be jealous. She accompanies me everywhere on tour, supports me. We always relax and travel together. She is a psychologist by profession. But the most important thing is that she has given me wonderful children. It's amazing to have a good family. My loved ones give me the strength to sing. I am not Othello. I am a very romantic person in life. Everything I see makes me happy. I sit and watch the sunrise and enjoy it. I am happy when I play with my children. When my wife and I go to a restaurant together and drink fine wine... I feel joy when I rehearse. I can continue indefinitely. I am always excited about new events in life. In January, I will visit Russia for the first time and I am very excited about it. I am looking forward to meeting such a magnificent city as St. Petersburg. I am well acquainted with your country through brilliant Russian literature and music. Dostoevsky, Rachmaninoff, Chekhov... I am thrilled to sing with Anna Netrebko again, we are friends. This time, on January 3rd, we will sing Puccini's opera "La Bohème" together at the Mariinsky Theatre. And performing with conductor Valery Gergiev is my dream. However, every opera singer in the world dreams of that. The only thing that scares me is the famous Russian cold. I hope I have a good coat (laughs).
Fears in Life
Interviewer: Besides the Russian cold, is there anything else that scares you in life?
Rolando Villazón: I am afraid of losing the joy of life. Happiness is something you create within yourself. Yes, everyone has problems. But without them, life would be incomplete. Troubles are also necessary, to contrast with joy...
