Javier Camarena
Mexican tenor Javier Camarena, the preeminent Mozart and bel canto specialist of his generation, returns to Chicago for the first time since his “sensational” (Chicago Tribune) debut at the Harris in 2016. Praised for his burnished tone, gleaming high notes, flawless coloratura, and veracious portrayals, he regularly appears in leading roles alongside today’s foremost stars at the world’s top opera houses and was the face of Opera News’s 80th anniversary edition this past January. Last season, as Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, he became only the second singer in Metropolitan Opera history to perform encores in multiple productions at the house, after the audience demanded a repeat of his aria “E se fia che ad altro oggetto.” Camarena went on to repeat the same feat in La fille du régiment at Madrid’s Teatro Real, followed by his recent triumph there in his debut as Gualtiero in Bellini’s Il Pirata.
Javier Camarena and pianist Ángel Rodríguez have been musical partners for many years and perform recitals all over the world. They recently engaged in a highly acclaimed recital tour throughout Spain and landed an outstanding coup with their solo recital debut at the Los Angeles Opera.
Ángel Rodríguez, piano
Originally from Cuba and established in Mexico, pianist and composer Ángel Rodríguez began to study music when he was just five years old. He furthered his professional training in piano with teacher Gonzalo Gutierrez, orchestra direction under Gonzalo Romeu, and vocal repertoire with Enrique Jasso.
For over six decades he has been a pianist for international opera singers such as Ramón Vargas, Rolando Villazón, Javier Camarena, Joseph Calleja, Verónica Villarroel, Ailyn Pérez, Pretty Yende, Alfredo Daza, Nadine Sierra, Kate Lindsey, Arturo Chacón, José Bross, and more in world-renowned venues including Palacio de Bellas Artes in México, Teatro Real de Madrid, Termas de Caracalla in Rome, Konzerthaus Berlin, Kennedy Center in Washington, Harris Theater in Chicago, Opernhaus Zürich, and the prestigious Rosenblatt Recitals in London.
His record production accomplishments include two albums with the famous tenor Javier Camarena.
Currently Ángel Rodríguez teaches masterclasses and his Clinic of Interpretation and Vocal Style in Mexico, coupled with his work as a recitalist next to great opera figures, and as an arranger and musical producer. He is the founder and president of the Colegio de Arte Vocal, the only institution in Mexico that is dedicated exclusively to the art of singing.