Rolando Villazón
World-leading lyric tenor
Renowned for his emotive performances and versatility, Rolando Villazón is a celebrated Franco-Mexican tenor, stage director, novelist and Artistic Director of the International Mozarteum Foundation and Mozart Week Festival.
Rolex believes in quality and it believes in things that stay with us, and classical music is something that stays with us.
Rolando Villazón
The multifaceted performer
Rolando Villazón has enthralled audiences worldwide with his powerful voice and vibrant stage presence.
He first came to prominence in 1999 when he won three prizes in Operalia, the world's leading opera competition. Since then, his star has continued to rise, his passion, talent and arresting stage presence bringing life to every opera in which he performs.
A cultural advocate
Rolando Villazón’s musical journey began in Mexico, where he nurtured a profound passion for opera.
After his success at Operalia in 1999, he quickly became one of the most sought-after artists of his generation.
He is a regular guest in the world’s leading opera houses and festivals. In recent years he has added Mozart roles to his repertoire, to great acclaim. He performs in major concert halls such as at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie de Paris, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York and Konzerthaus Vienna, to name but a few. He has also appeared in televised concerts captivating millions of television viewers worldwide. Almost all his recordings are bestsellers, winning gold or platinum awards.
Villazón has garnered accolades like the Victoire de la Musique Classique in France and multiple other awards and distinctions. In 2017, he was named Artistic Director of Salzburg’s Mozart Week Festival and Artistic Director of the Mozarteum Foundation four years later.
Known for his versatility, he has also expanded into television and radio as well as literature, showcasing his talents as a TV host, novelist, and cultural advocate.
Rolando Villazón became a Rolex Testimonee in 2005.
