Rolando Villazón can hardly wait to be on stage again: "We artists as well as the audience are on live withdrawal".
Star tenor, novelist, artistic director, presenter – Rolando Villazón (48) is a real all-rounder. He is currently conquering the bestseller lists with his third novel "Amadeus on a bicycle". His new CD "Serenata Latina" will be released in October. A tour is planned in autumn, if the situation permits. Unlike many of his colleagues, Villazón is not hit hard by the corona crisis. "I am very fortunate that I have several pillars," he explains in an interview with the news agency spot on news. But of course he also missed being on stage. "We artists, but also the audience, are all on live withdrawal, and of course the overall situation is just very difficult for everyone."
Your first concert on the occasion of your new album "Serenata Latina" took place online in mid-July. How did you experience it and how did the fans react?
Rolando Villazón: It was a very different atmosphere than at a concert, but it was still great to sing again. I really appreciated the artistic connection and musical intimacy on stage with the great harpist Xavier de Maistre. It is fantastic that we have these opportunities these days and it is very impressive that Xavier and I can give a concert in Paris and there can be people from Australia, Mexico, Finland or Kenya. But of course I'm really looking forward to our tour and all concerts with an audience.
Are there any more live streams planned?
Villazón: Live streams can only be a temporary solution. We already had live broadcasts of concerts with an audience before the crisis, so actually the concept is not new. However, it will never be able to completely replace the "normal" concert. The live industry is so important.
How much do you miss being on stage yourself?
Villazón: Of course very much. As a singer you live for the stage, it's a phenomenal feeling when you get into this flow at a concert where everything comes together. It's like flying. The energy that arises in a hall between the performer and the audience is different and indescribable every time. We artists but also the audience are all on live withdrawal, and of course the overall situation is just very difficult for everyone.
What are the consequences of the corona crisis for you personally?
Villazón: As for many, everything has changed completely. I am very fortunate that I have several pillars as a singer, director of the Mozart Week, director, author and presenter. I am very happy about the success of my new novel "Amadeus on a bicycle" and I am already working on my fourth novel. The CD recording with Xavier de Maistre in Paris was a wonderful opportunity to continue my passion despite Corona. I did not leave my house in Paris for 62 days and spent a lot of time with my family and prepared the program for further Mozart weeks.
It is currently very difficult for musicians who live exclusively from concerts. It's so important to support the artists who are the backbone of our culture. Without them our world would be unimaginably dreary, gray and sad. I think people always think of culture as something that is far away in an ivory tower, but actually every picture we see, every film, every series, every song, every book, but also advertisements, posters, fashion, Design, architecture – there are artists everywhere. I don't want to live in any world without art – do you?
How hard is the Corona crisis affecting the classical music industry?
Villazón: Very difficult, like the entire live sector. The classical music industry has the advantage that many houses and orchestras are financed by the public, but that is only a small part. Most of the soloists are freelance, you have to think of the entire backbone: technicians, stage builders, make-up artists and and and. All agencies are currently hardly taking anything, and I'm particularly worried about the young artists. For years I have been supporting great newcomers with my show "Stars of Tomorrow", and I want to continue to do so, but the financial emergency could mean that less is invested in the next generation. That would be disastrous!
You have already given readings in Munich with your new success book. Did you have concerns about attending public appointments again?
Villazón: No, because the safety precautions were large and implemented very well. The requirements are very strict, and to be honest, it is currently 100 times more dangerous to ride the subway than to go to a reading or a concert.
How big is your fear of infection?
Villazón: I am not part of the high-risk group, but I am very careful, we should all be. Also out of consideration for our fellow human beings.
You are the director of the Mozart Week in Salzburg, which always takes place at the end of January. Can this even take place?
Villazón: Yes, definitely – we will adhere to all the requirements and regulations that apply at this point in time. I'm really looking forward to our wonderful "musico drammatico" program, with which we will present Mozart the music dramatist. It will be "dramatic" because we will perform almost all of Mozart's works in minor, including the "opera of all operas" "Don Giovanni", but also great concert evenings and also puppet theater and pantomime. I can not wait any longer!