Rolando Villazón, "La Cucaracha", México City, 06/17/2010

Comments

[Kevin Edmund Youkilis 4MVP]

He should work at a Mexican restaurant.

[qui]

Exactly what are we expected to make of this? I'm bereft of words.

[Eric]

This is not my cup of tea but it appears that Villazón is at least enjoying himself... same for the audience. That's good! I've seen worse.

Roberto Alagna does this same sort of thing with his audiences nowadays with Sicilien. Also, not my cup of tea. But whatever floats your boat!

[Diva2themax]

Bwahahahahahah that was great. A tune from my childhood that I totally forgot about.

[alejandra]

Cross over to folk song in the worst possible way.

[Jonathan]

First we had Renee Fleming with her foray into pop and now it's Rolando with 'La Cucaracha'.

I think he can give her a run for her money...

[Bill Philin-Ploplis]

Great idea after undergoing throat surgery and vocal rehab!

[Lily]

Well, he seems to be having fun. What the heck this has to do with opera baffles me.

I wish he'd get his hair shaped. Get a real fro, if that's what he wants, but not look so bedraggled. The way he does it is not hot. (I grant you, that might be my American style sensibility showing, and somewhere else in the world, women or men may be swooning over his do. Doubt it, though.)

[Marshie]

Off his medication?

[Enda Vanyra]

And they say you can never go home!

[Nourrit's Number]

La cucaracha ya no puede cantar...

[vale]

This is pretty disgusting.
Isn't he supposed to be taking care of his voice?
I'm sure he could get a job at one of your friend Placidone's many restaurants around the world.
After all, he created this "thing"...

[Gianni]

He had to cancel Salzburg again. It's obvious why. He has better things to do. Seriously: no voice, nothing, it is the end.

[Franco]

As predicted. Circus Villazon. Nothing left of the few great days.

[Rogier]

These comments are making me laugh. I have no other thoughts.

[Elise]

Well Lily,
Some people say that Americans are open-minded. But I guess that is just one of those stereotypes going around...

[Yiap]

He was my favourite.. Now i can't even watch him for a sec...

[operaplus]

because you have so much hate Rolando on this blog ? is just a popular song, a concert in his homeland

[stella]

@ Gianni: you don't know what you're talking, Rolando will sing in Salzburg this summer (15-08) with Helene Grimaud.

[operaplus]

is a popular song, is a concert in your land...what is a problem?

[alocksley]

Stella: The problem is his wandering about the stage as if he needs to go to the "muchachos" room, and the sound of his voice and lack of any artistry.
Some of us expect these artists to show us, even in areas where they might not be "at home", something of their artistry. Compare this to "O Sole Mio" by the 3 tenors...
VIllazon is a clown. Nothing more. Never was. I'd rather watch Robert Goulet try to sing Rigoletto...

[Traci]

Exactly, operaplus. I have seen a number of tapes of other selections from this same concert on youtube. What is sad is that his voice is not in better shape to do the pieces justice. He has a natural gift for the style.

Making fun of a man who is doing a concert for his own culture is snobbery of the highest order. This old song is probably one of the most traditional, most cherished songs in Mexico. I can't tell if people are deriding Rolando or the music more here... The audience seems to be enjoying it very much. How often did he get down there when he and Anna were the dream team, I wonder?

This concert, using microphone, is precisely the kind of thing Rolando will be doing more of, so people better get used to it. A steady schedule of staged acoustic opera is unlikely given his vocal status.

[Donna Anna]

Oh come on, people! He's up there having a great time and making up his own words (normally this song doesn't get spontaneous laughter). It's difficult to understand but I think he's talking about what's being Mexican, about what's going on with the musicians, and generally having a great time.Plus, the cucaracha isn't smoking marijuana..something else, as far as I can make out.
Good for him for getting up there and having a good time. Recitals may be the best thing for him (as he's doing with Grimaud in Salzburg).

[Lily]

Elise, I am not sure what you mean. I am talking merely about how Villazon's hair looks.

I think the hair lacks control, and thus does not charm. It does not show the sophistication one expects from a pop performer. If he is going to compete in future with other pop performers, his appearance will count a lot more than it did in opera. In opera, it is the voice, and to a lesser degree (still!) the ability to act, and to an even lesser degree, sheer physical beauty (Netrebko) or projected sexuality (Kaufmann). In pop performing, which clearly Villazon is now migrating to, how one looks is crucial.

So, tell me, one and all, does he look hot, or not?

[mariu guasco]

good reaction from Donna Anna, I agree.
Let the man do what he wants to do and not be ready immediately with lethal critics. We are no Mexicans, and we cannot feel or judge the sentiments Rolando has now that he is performing in his own country, in such special occasions , in his own language, in front of 10.000 and 10.000 of persons who adore , appreciate and cherish him.Nor can we judge the importance this is for the Mexican people and what confort these concerts can bring to the Mexican audience!!!

He will be again a real opera singer; of course he is not going into pop for ever. He is a very versatile man, with a lot of different talents, he is going to sing with Bryn Terfel, he is going to perform all over Europe his Mexican songs, he is determined to go into stage-directing, and what more? He will perform soon again as the fantastic tenor he is with so much of carisma!
And what Lily asked; is he still hot? OF COURSE HE IS!
Traci, are you serious?I quote you:" a steady schedule of staged acoustic opera is unlikely SEEING HIS VOCAL STATUS"? What do you know about his vocal status? What do you mean by saying this? That opera is over for him. Are you a vocal expert? Are you a laringo-specialist who visited him often?
Please don't say these unheard things, and wait until you hear him again on stage, wherever and in whatever kind of music.

[angeladorable]

This is exactly why all of Rolandos fans love him so much. What wrong with having a good time? Obviously the audience enjoys it so whats the big deal? I just wish the picture was clearer and that someone could translate it so we could all get in on the good time. I love his hair. Did you think that vocal surgery was going to change his personality?

[operaplus]

Traci said "Making fun of a man who is doing a concert for his own culture is snobbery of the highest order" YESSSSSSS !!!!
Pavarotti could sing Napulitane, Florez can sing "La Flor de la Canela, Alagna can sing "Sicilien", but Rolando...oh my god, how can you sing "that"?

Has anyone talked in this blog about who sang Lensky impressive on the 5th of June in Berlin?

[Gianni]

High Stella, he and Netrebko cancelled all opera performances in Salzburg 2010. She because she has 'better' things to to, he because he can't sing opera again at the moment. For the Liederabend with just a piano and no orchestra it might work?! Though, imagine him singing Schumann. Terrible. And we still don't know wether he meight even cancel the evening with Grimaud the last moment. We are angry with Netrebko and Villazon. I do know because I work there!!!

[Marshie]

@Jonathan: Spot on re the Villazon circus and Renee's fake pop. Speaking of donkeys, watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCfiU1uTY7o

@Donna Anna: Villazon's clownish antics belong in his living room with his buddies and family but not in Salzburg. Never in Salzburg.

[stella]

@ Gianni: Rolando ha annullato tutta la sua agenda da aprile di 2009, quando è stato operato da una ciste alle corde vocali. Tutta la sua agenda! Dopo, ovviamente, ha dovuto rifare qualche cose dal suo repertorio. Salisburgo ama tantissimo Rolando (meno tu), perciò canta ogni anno.

[Operpur]

Gianni, sorry, but you are wrong. Have a look at the website of the Salzburger Festspiele. There you will find Anna Netrebko in 5 performances of "Romeo et Juliette", and they are completely SOLD OUT! You don't have to like her, but the facts should be correct.

[Traci]

The fact that people are protesting Rolando Villazon's hairstyle and worrying about whether he is "hot" or not just leaves me speechless. He has always had weird hair, he is a unique character - and so what???!!! I sincerely doubt he ever had anyone swooning, as if he were some sort of sex symbol. He is just endearing and passionate, and that is charismatic in itself. If the pop world requires "hotness", then too bad for everyone.

Mariu, yes, I am something of a vocal expert, I have no trouble claiming it. His voice is not what it was. I am not saying he won't sing opera at all anymore, I am saying he cannot do it as intensively (as in schedule and roles) as he once did. I agree with your saying that this concert and the fans enjoying it are completely legitimate and we are disrespectful to even make comments about it at all.

I didn't go so far as to say that the subtext of the post and thread is somewhat racist, but... La Cucaracha means "the cockroach" and it is a historic folk song. No one has to justify performing it, particularly in Mexico.

[Nourrit's Number]

Actually, if you want to compare an excellent tenor singing popular music, look up Alfredo Kraus' recording of the tango "El Día Que Me Quieras" by Carlos Gardel, it's a popular number but Kraus does a class act with it. Also, he recorded "Alfonsina Y el Mar" and "Maitechu Mía." If you compare the level of artistry versus what poor Rolando is doing right now... I'm sorry, but Rolando is really out to lunch.

[operaplus]

@ Nourrit's Number, I think you have some confusion about what is popular music in Spanish. La Cucaracha is an anonymous song of oral transmission, sung by all the people. Alfonsina y el mar is a song composed in 1969, in honor of poet Alfonsina Storni. Both very beautiful, but they have nothing to do.

[jgdm]

much ado about nothing imho...this song is not an aria nor is he singing with an orchestra therefore I find the derogatory and snarky comments on here unnecessary. Anyone can see he is just having fun with the audience here and not really "singing" but of course the videos for those 'more appropriate''performances which are on yt were ignored here. Also, he is NOT a pop singer and to label him as such is wrong. He still has opera performances scheduled, including a run at La Scala later this year. He may be doing more concerts and recitals which is the smart thing to do since he had surgery recently but that does NOT mean he is a crossover artist and you all know it. Judging from his other performances his voice is far from "gone" as some posters here seem to think. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there is no need to be disrespectful or boastful of one's opinion as if it were set in stone. I for one think he can continue to sing Opera if he paces himself well and doesnt push his voice...I may be wrong but I certainly wish him the best. He is truly a unique performer and deserves at least a little bit of respect for all he has accomplished. I know some are just joking but spewing negative comments around doesnt do anyone any good.

[OLGA LENSKOVA]

¿WHERE IS YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR?
HE IS SINGIN A FUNNY POPULAR MEXICAN SONG IN HIS HOMELAND.....¿IS THAT SO STRANGE?

[Les Mitchell]

The song is pure Mexican folk, and he was adding funny lyrics, which is what caused the audience to laugh so loudly. The guy was having a good time, and so was the audience. This was not in an opera house, but in a music theater. Rolando IS Mexican, and he's having fun with his people. I'm not sure it was a good idea to post this because it does not represent him as an opera singer. Moreover, his Lensky got very good reviews in the beginning of June.

I have absolutely no idea why so many people are ripping him to shreds. Pavarotti sang with Rap singers (if you can call them "singers"), and Domingo sang with John Denver. Montserrat Caballe' did some interesting work with Freddy Mercury. No one complained about any of THOSE!

Have opera people become so snobbish and elitist that they can't permit an "opera singer" to have some fun in their own country with their own people"?

[Constantine A. Papas]

Netrebko sings Juliet at Salzburg to Baczala's Romeo. Some opera fans (?) like to put singers down, for whatever reasons, and it has become the bloody sport of the day.

[El Cajon]

Pancho Villazon, what a (wild) card. Ugh!!

[Bruno]

«First Renée...Now Villazón..." is what many people are saying.

But you forget Core ngrato, Santa Lucia (among) many others are folk songs - just like this! I don't see what's the problem of doing this while he is not a very healthy singer :-P

[alejandra]

Yes, he is singing folk songs and that is not wrong. He is also having fun, that is also not wrong. But for those of us who have had our share of tenors doing folk songs, we know that it can be done better... Rolando sounds fine, but that "thing" he is doing does not do justice to his talent. If he wants to sing folk, he can do it in style: with a good mariachi.

[abelko]

I live in Mexico, and I am not a fan of Villazón`s, but some critiques are too harsh and mistaken. Some people already said what I wanted to say in his defense. I just want to add that the lyrics he is singing are about the mexican futbol team that at that moment had won a game in the World Cup. So everybody was celebrating, and that`s why he has a mexican flag.

Also I wanted all OC readers to know that there was an opera reality show here in mexico (it ended tonight). But real opera, not like the english crap, with singers compiting, and judges evaluating them, not the audience. It was called Opera Prima, and was very interesting. You can watch their videos in youtube. It gave me hope, at least. Don`t know about the ratings though...

[Bill Philin-Ploplis]

Lucky Lou, Placidone, and Montsy were not recovering from throat surgery and an inauspicious Handel recital. I think a lot of us were hoping R. V. was going to take it slow and easy--recoup his strength, take some time off, and restudy his voice.

[sjt]

" Pavarotti sang with Rap singers (if you can call them "singers"), and Domingo sang with John Denver. Montserrat Caballe' did some interesting work with Freddy Mercury. No one complained about any of THOSE!"

This is to rewrite history. I don't know where you live, but where I live all three of your examples were widely excoriated for their crossover experiments, and two of them never really recovered their previous reputations thereafter...

As for Villazon, it remains to be seen...

[Donna Anna]

@Abelko, thanks for the translation. It goes by way too fast for me to pick up anything!
Several years back, there was a video of Rolando in Mexico singing with a mariachi group. He was fabulous. No, this isn't perfect, it's not that great but that's not what this is about. If you check his schedule, he's singing his three prime roles: Nemorino, Rudolfo, and Lensky. Nothing new, yet. Lots of recitals and that may be a good thing

[junebug]

While Wiki is not infallible:

Emilio Rolando Villazón Mauleón (born February 22, 1972), is a Mexican-born tenor who settled in France and in 2007 became a French citizen. He is of Austrian descent by his grandparents.

He was raised in Fuentes de Satellite, a suburban area of Greater Mexico City, Mexico.

[Maggy]

I am hoping to see him in Il Re Pastore in Zurich in a year's time I think . And if he is ambassador of Arts in his own first country (he has got French citizenship), why not? He deserves the title considering the extreme smshing qualities of his acting while singing, if you had the chance to see him live like I did several times here and there. I am not that keen on these mexican songs either but I agree RV is making thousands of people happy...including me when I listen to him singing another type of music!
Have you ever heard Placido domingo sing 'Yesterday' ? I loved it when the record came out!

[Nourrit's Number]

@OPERAPLUS: I see you conveniently ignored "El Dia Que Me Quieras" which is a tango and inescapably popular. Furthermore: Alfonsina y el Mar may not have been conceived by some gaucho somewhere, but it nevertheless has become a staple of popular repertoire-- or are you going to tell me that, for example, Mercedes Sosa is considered a high exponent of the classical repertoire now?

[Karen]

My parents went to see this concert, and they told me that this particular song was his encore. I don't think there is anything wrong with using this song as an encore. He told the audience that he would like to sing that song because no body ever sings it really, and despite the fact that it is such a famous song, you honestly rarely hear it. I think it is a bit of humor before the audience went home. The crowd loved it.
This entire concert though, was all composed of traditional Mexican song and some Mexican classical repertoire. Unfortunately I think if he had given a concert full of your typical classical repertoire and arias he would have not sold out the way he did. I think that as a Mexican I can tell you that the general Mexican public love to get a dose of national pride by hearing a good singer (who lives overseas) sing all the Mexican hits.

[operaplus]

@Nourrit's...popular music...what is? La Cucaracha is a old popular-flocloric song, anonymous. Mercedes Sosa is a very popular singing...but Shakira o Juanes are also popular.