Rolando Villazon | © Wolfgang Lienbacher

Rolando. Mozart. Salzburg. A love story

With his passion and sense of humour, Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón has taken the hearts of Salzburgers and music lovers by storm. He is approachable, incredibly creative and probably knows every line Mozart ever wrote – which makes him the perfect artistic director for the Mozart Week. We met him and asked him about his love for Salzburg.

1. if Mozart were alive, what would be the first thing you would ask him?

If I met Wolfgang Amadé in the streets of Salzburg, I would certainly tell him first that he has become a real friend to me through his music and his letters, which I read every day. I would kiss his feet and say 'thank you, thank you, thank you! I would invite him for a beer or champagne.... My heart would beat like a drum and I would hug him and dance for him....

2. You draw, sing, direct and much more. Do you find inspiration for your projects in Salzburg and its people?

If you couldn't find inspiration for that in this beautiful city... then where would you?!? Salzburg breathes music, art and culture. You can feel this special atmosphere, the spirit of Mozart, in so many places here. I like the people here, I always enjoy talking to the people of Salzburg, many of them speak to me so kindly about the Mozart Week. It is a pleasure to be the artistic director here.

3. With all these projects, does your day have more than 24 hours?

Of course, my day only has 24 hours... Yes, I do a lot, sing, direct, write, draw and run the Mozart Week.... but there are also days when I do nothing at all... which I consciously keep free... I stroll through the streets, sit in a café, read a book, watch people. Such days are sources of strength and energy for my projects.

4. Is there a particular moment that kindled your love for Salzburg?

There is, it was in 2005 with La Traviata at the Salzburg Festival, with my first performance in Salzburg. My love for Salzburg then grew more and more. My love for Mozart further strengthened this bond. Salzburg has become a home for me.

5. Where do you find quiet places in Salzburg where you are not Mozart-ambassador and artistic director, but simply Rolando?

I am only Rolando late in the evening or very early in the morning when I walk across the Mozartsteg to Mozartplatz, when there are hardly any people around. Then Rolando quietly greets Wolfgang Amadé on his square: Hola, mi querido amigo! I always do this when I'm in Salzburg, it's become a tradition.

6. Mozart is played and heard all over the world. Is it special as an artist to play Mozart here or for visitors to Mozart's native town to experience his music? And if so, can you describe why that is?

Salzburg is Mozart's cradle, Mozart's birthplace, his original instruments, the largest collection of letters and manuscripts, nowhere else is one so close to the most popular composer of all time. You can also feel this in the concert halls of the Mozarteum Foundation with their unique atmosphere, you simply have to experience it. It is also something very special for us artists to be on stage here. For me it is pure goose bumps every time, also because the audience here is a special one ... true Mozart connoisseurs.