Rolando is back (The sequel!)

After almost two years of absence from the Royal Opera House, Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón has come back. It has been two years of cancellations and rumours – he has lost his voice, he has sold out, he will never do opera again. This was particularly sad because it was the second time in four years in which Villazón took some time off to receive medical treatment and sort out his vocal problems. In November 2008 I celebrated his first recovery with a review for Mundoclasico.com entitled “Rolando is back” – then he was at his very best as Hoffmann in Offenbach’s opera, a hysterical character that particularly suits his somewhat exaggerated acting and singing styles. His second return wasn’t any less impressive. Indeed, Werther probably is, together with Hoffmann, Villazón’s best role. From the beginning to the end he gave it all and all…