The Heart of the Song

JAVIER CAMARENA

On CD:

“Contrabandista” (Decca label)
This is Javier’s exciting debut album for the Decca label, including rarely heard bel canto works.  One track features a duet from Rossini’s Armida with Cecilia Bartoli.

On DVD:

Rossini, Le Comte Ory (Decca label – Blu-Ray)
Javier stars in the demanding title role of one of Rossini’s most uproarious comedies, singing opposite Cecilia Barotli in a delicious production from the Zurich Opera House.

On YouTube:

Donizetti, La fille du régiment, “Ah, mes amis”
As Tonio in the Met production of Donizetti’s comic gem, Javier sails through his showpiece aria, and then—following a huge ovation—sings an encore!
Watch

Rossini, “La danza”
At Carnegie Hall’s 2016 Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala, Javier sings the most popular of all Rossini songs, beloved by tenors for nearly 200 years.
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Maria Grever, “Despedida”
At London’s prestigious Wigmore Hall, Javier sings one of the most affecting songs by Mexico’s first female composer to gain international fame.
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Chucho Monge, “México lindo y querido”
In one of Mexico’s most patriotic and best-loved songs, Javier leads his audience in a singalong!
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ROLANDO VILLAZÓN

On CD:

Massenet, Werther (Deutsche Grammophon label)
One of Rolando’s greatest achievements on recordings—a complete performance of one of French opera’s most thrilling tenor roles, with Sophie Koch as Charlotte and Antonio Pappano conducting.

“Rolando Villazón: Opera Recital” (Deutsche Grammophon label)
A spectacular program showcasing Rolando’s stylistic diversity in music of Offenbach, Puccini, Mascagni, Giordano, Flotow, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Verdi, Donizetti, Verdi, and Bizet.

“¡México!” (Deutsche Grammophon label)
Rolando sings a marvelous selection of popular songs in Spanish, including “Besame Mucho,” Dime que si,” and the ravishing “Estrellita.”

On DVD:

Gounod, Roméo et Juliette (Deutsche Grammophon label)
Rolando and soprano Nino Machaidze are extraordinarily touching lovers onstage in Bartlett Sher’s glorious production, recorded at the Salzburg Festival. 

Puccini, La bohème (Kultur Video label)
Director Robert Dornhelm’s vision of Puccini’s opera is one of the most lavishly produced filmed operas of recent years, with Rolando’s world-famous Rodolfo joined by two enchanting sopranos, Anna Netrebko (Mimì) and Nicole Cabell (Musetta).
NOTE: The soundtrack is also available on CD (Deutsche Grammophon label). 

Verdi, La traviata (Decca and Deutsche Grammophon labels)
Rolando in his irresistibly romantic portrayal of Verdi’s Alfredo, not once but twice, opposite exceptional leading ladies: Renée Fleming at LA Opera and Anna Netrebko at the Salzburg Festival.

On YouTube:

Donizetti,  L’elisir d’amore, “O buono! O caro!”
Opposite Anna Netrebko’s Adina at the Vienna State Opera, Rolando’s tipsy Nemorino delights the audience with a juggling routine!
Watch 

Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin, “Kuda, kuda”
In a concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Rolando sings the most popular of all Russian tenor arias.
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Traditional, “La llorona”
Rolando is joined by renowned French harpist Xavier de Maistre for the most familiar of all Mexican folk songs.
Watch

 

For Spanish speakers:

Malabares (publ. 2013)
One of Rolando’s three novels!

For German speakers:

Rolando Villazón: Die Kunst, Tenor su sein (publ. 2008)
Manuel Brug’s in-depth biography of Rolando.

 

DAVID LOMELÍ

On YouTube:

Puccini, La bohème, “Che gelida manina,” and Turandot, “Nessun dorma”
David’s thrilling performances of everyone’s favorite Puccini tenor arias!

Watch: Che gelida manina Watch: Nessun dorma

Verdi, La traviata, “De’ miei bollenti spiriti…O mio rimorso”
David in Alfredo’s big scene, including a sustained high C at the end.
Watch

David Lomelí: Q&A
Recorded for OPERA America, 2020.
Watch