Ramón Vargas

Sobre o Evento

'Why do I sing? I don’t know. Singing is something I need to do. They say that artists practice their art to get over their nervousness. I’ve been singing all my life, spontaneously as well. A good voice is a gift. It’s my obligation to perfect it, to pass it on and share it with others. Art is uplifting; as we’re used to saying: to sing is to pray twice.”

The words of Ramón Vargas radiate his Latin temperament, professional humility and an approach that sees singing as an elemental instinct. Already well known to Hungarian audiences, Vargas is both one of the pre‐eminent interpreters of Italian bel canto roles and a musical ambassador of his native land Mexico, who has devoted his career to cultivating these two repertoires – of which he will provide a taste at the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall. 
The orchestra for the evening is conducted by the Serbian Srboljub Dinić, who is much sought after for Italian operas, while Vargas will be joined on stage for a number of surprise numbers by a Croatian group specialising in traditional Mexican mariachi music with which he shares a long collaboration. “Not only do I feel Mexican, I’m proud of it too,” said the world‐renowned tenor in one interview. “My Mexican origin gives me self‐confidence, and I cannot imagine belonging to any other nationality. As a citizen of the world who’s settled in Switzerland, I cannot and would not wish to change this. My childhood experiences are tied to Mexico, the first years in the Basilica of Guadalupe, the times spent in the La Villa quarter in the heart of Mexico City. I feel that I have my roots to thank for my self‐confidence and authenticity.”