Rolando Villazón is a world-renowned tenor of French and Mexican descent. He gained international fame in the early 2000s and quickly became one of the most sought-after tenors in the world of classical music. Here are some key points about his life and career.

Villazón was born in Mexico City in 1972. He began his musical journey by joining the Espacio de la Música choir, where he sang as both a baritone and a tenor.

Breakthrough. Rolando's major breakthrough came when he won several prizes in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition in 1999. This propelled him into the international spotlight.

Performances. Villazón has performed at many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Berlin State Opera.

Repertoire. His repertoire is vast, covering a range of roles from the romantic leads in operas by Puccini and Verdi, to the more lyric roles in operas by Mozart and Donizetti.

Collaborations. Villazón has collaborated with many leading figures in the world of classical music, including conductors like Yannick Nézet-Séguin and singers like Anna Netrebko, with whom he has had particularly memorable duet performances.

Challenges. Like many singers, Villazón faced vocal challenges during his career. Around 2009, he underwent surgery on his vocal cords. After recovery, he resumed his singing career, although his voice underwent some changes.

Versatility. Apart from opera, Villazón has showcased his versatility by venturing into lighter music, direction (he's directed several opera productions), and even television, where he's appeared on various shows related to classical music.

Recordings. Over the years, he has released numerous albums, both of solo arias and full operatic recordings, many of which have received critical acclaim.

Other Ventures. Beyond singing, Villazón has written novels, demonstrating his diverse range of talents.

Discography

• "Opera Recital" (2004) with the Orchestra of the Teatro Regio di Torino, conducted by Evelino Pidò.
• "Handel Arias" (2007) with the Gabrieli Players, conducted by Paul McCreesh.
• "Mozart Concert Arias" (2009) with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Ivor Bolton.
• "La Strada" (2013) an album of popular Italian and Spanish songs.
• "Treasures of Bel Canto" (2015) with pianist Diana Damrau.
• "Monteverdi" (2017) with Ensemble L'Arpeggiata, conducted by Christina Pluhar.

Novels

• "Malo de Luna" (2013) a novel exploring the life of a clown through a series of intertwined tales.
• "Lebenskünstler" (2017) a novel following the adventures and tribulations of various characters, highlighting the beauty and tragedy of life.