The Royal Albert Hall has just announced that Mexican Tenor Ramon Vargas will replace international superstar German tenor Jonas Kaufmann.
On Thursday May 31, 2012, the Royal Albert Hall announced that they were “delighted” to have acclaimed international tenor Ramon Vargas agree to sing on such short notice. The concert will reunite Russian Diva Anna Netrebko and Vargas for the first time since their 2007 concert in Baden Baden and will also feature Uruguayan bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. The program will feature works by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and many more.
Vargas’ inclusion in the program came after the Royal Albert Hall in London announced on May 28th that Jonas Kaufmann withdrew from the concert, having been indisposed with a protracted infection and with “deep regret” had to extend his recovery period. His illness began in April where he was forced to cancel the revival of the anticipated “Die Walkure” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He later announced the cancellation of a Zurich Gala and then the cancellation of the new production of Les Troyens at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Along with these three cancellations, Kaufmann was also forced to cancel a recital at the Wigmore Recital Hall in London. The intention of the Royal Albert Hall was to repeat the success of the Waldbuhne concert held last summer in Germany with Netrebko and Schrott.
Ramon Vargas who made his international debut in the 90s, has developed into one of the most acclaimed tenors of the 21st century. Recognized as the “golden toned voice” he has gained praise for his expressivity and agility in his lyric tenor particularly in the bel canto repertoire. In recent times he has lost popularity due to the rise of other younger Latin American Peruvian Juan Diego Florez and Mexican Rolando Villazon. Nevertheless he is still loved in his native Mexico as well as in Vienna where he currently lives.
The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfill the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning. The hall opened in March 1871.
The concert is a gala performance that will be held on June 6th at 7:30.
Vargas and Netrebko perform at Baden Baden in 2007.