"There are a lot of people who do not go to the opera because they think you need to have special knowledge for that. I believe that you need a heart and sensibility, and everybody has that." Rolando Villazón
Remember this name - one of the world's leading tenors, Rolando Villazón, is set to become a UK household name in early 2010. Alongside a prime-time ITV show in which he will star, he also releases an exclusive UK album 'Tenor', giving the UK public the opportunity to sample some of the best-loved tenor arias sung by a consummate professional.
Appearing on ITV's new prime-time show Popstar to Opera Star, hosted by Myleene Klass and Alan Titchmarsh, Mexican Villazón will be both a mentor and panellist, lending his operatic expertise to the pop singer students throughout the series. Can eight singers from the world of pop transform their voices and master the art of opera? Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and McFly singer Danny Jones join a glittering celebrity line-up preparing to warble their way into the nation’s hearts. They've already conquered the pop world - but will they hit the high notes en route to operatic success? Villazón has been one of the most in-demand singers on the international opera circuit for almost a decade now, and has firmly established himself in the A-list opera-houses of Paris, Berlin, Los Angeles, Vienna, New York and London.
On ‘Tenor', Villazón showcases some of the best-known tenor arias popularised by operatic legends including the 'Three Tenors' Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras. The greatest tenor arias on this disc vary from sophisticated Handel and emotional operatic greats by Verdi and Puccini through to 20th Century classics from Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’ and Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’.
Villazón's enormous personality and charisma shine through every inflection on both the TV show and on this album. He is sure to win over the British audience when he brings musical cheer to our winter evenings.
Gramophone Awards 2008
Gramophone Magazine