CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Jules Massenet: Manon

starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Daniel Barenboim, Alfredo Daza, Christof Fischesser
directed by: Vincent Paterson

Release Date September 23, 2008
The director admits in the documentary that he doesn't care for opera because too much attention too often is given to the singing and not enough to acting and staging. And he fixes that beautifully here in a Broadway-worthy theatrical presentation that should keep everyone glued to the action on screen. The updating to the 50's gives it a glitzy retro look similar to the Australian La Boheme. The sets, costumes, and especially the stars ("singing actors") make this a memorable piece, which viewers will want to watch repeatedly. No "stand-and-deliver" here.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Verdi - La Traviata

starring: Renee Fleming, Rolando Villazon, Renato Bruson, James Conlon, Ania Alkimova
directed by: Marta Domingo

Release Date October 30, 2007
Martha Domingo's production has taste and style. Opera lovers are lucky to experience - in the days of Euro trash - a well done Traviata.
I was relieved that Ms.Domiongo's direction seems to have eliminated some of
Rolando Villazon's clownish acting we had to endure in the unbearable Salzburg production.
I like Renee Fleming's well sung and acted Violetta, and she looks beautiful.However, her interpretation is marred by the missing E flat.Violetta is a part sung by a multitude of sopranos, and if a star soprano attempts it, she should be spectacular in every way. Usually, she is not shy of acuti - so why not here, where everybody expects it?! And where it is part of the score!

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Verdi - La Traviata

starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson, Helene Schneidermann, Salvatore Cordella
directed by: Carlo Rizzi, Willy Decker

Release Date June 13, 2006
Desde que escuche a Anna y a Rolando Villazón en Duets, me gustó la potencia de la voz de esta joven y guapa mujer. Muy rica en tonalidades, buenos logros en su incipiente trabajo como cantante de Opera y en esta producción muy moderna, muy ágil y ligera. Vale la pena ver toda la obra, el montaje tan simple y a la vez tan abierto al espacio donde se juega con la mente del espectador. Bravo por Anna, Villazón en búsqueda de su yo y alejándose de su Alter Ego Placido Domingo. Buen tipo, muy profesional, sensible y todavía nada de divo. Pareja sensual que vale la pena escuchar y ver...

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

The Berlin Concert - Live from Waldbuhne

starring: Rolando Villazon, Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo, Marco Armiliato

Release Date April 10, 2007
This concert is amazing! Placido Domingo, at 65 at that time, is, like always, at his best. Even with a baritone tone he still out shines younger singers. But in this concert both Anna and Rolando are just wonderful. They sing with much passion and their voices are fresh and clear. The choice of the music is perfect for a night like that. The set is enchanting.
I first saw this concert on the TV and I instantly fell in love with it. I was so happy when I found it on DVD.
Rolano Villazon had a smashing success with Rossini's La Danza. Netrebnco followed with Quando men vo in a superb interpretation. I am not her fan, but I really liked her performance at this time.
This is a must-have for anyone who loves opera, but not only.
The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper

starring: Rolando Villazon, Anna Netrebko, Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Leo Nucci, Alfred Eschwe
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date January 16, 2007
The most thrilling, exilarating, touching warm and yet funny operatic presentation of any Operatic score I've ever seen in my Life!!!!!!!!!!!!! A+++++ Villazon is the most lyric spinto Tenor I have ever heard. He is in a cast by himself. Netrebko matches Rolando in every scene and that superb voice WOW A++++++++++++. I've seen the DVD four times already.Recomend anyone to buy and have a ball A++++++++++++

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Jules Massenet - Manon / Dessay, Villazon, Ramey, Lanza, Henry, Perez, McVicar (Gran Teatre del Liceu 2007)

starring: Natalie Dessay, Rolando Villazon, Samuel Ramey, Manuel Lanza, Victor Pabro Pérez
directed by: David McVicar, François Roussillon

Release Date January 15, 2008
It is an excellent presentation of Massenet's opera Manon. Of course, the dream cast of Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazon contributes enormously to the enjoyment of this DVD. The production is first-class and depicts the life of these women, who are paid for by wealthy suiters, more realistically than in any other production.
Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Verdi - Don Carlo / Villazon, Roocroft, Urmana, Croft, Lloyd, Ryhanen, Giuseppini, Chailly, Amsterdam Opera

starring: Rolando Villazon, Amanda Roocroft, Violetta Urmana, Dwayne Croft, Robert Lloyd

Release Date October 18, 2005
I agree with many of the reviewers about the singing. All are correct except Amanda Roocroft. If she does not take care choosing apropriate roles for her voice like her outstanding Fiordiligi (the best that I have heard and seen, and the best Cosi available), she will not last too much time singing. Villazón is good but not as I expected. His tendency to shout the high notes makes unpleasant to listen and watch. In those moments his face almost turns red and looks strained. Dwayne Croft sings and acts great and convincing, the same as Robert Lloyd. I missed as other reviewers a darker chest voice for Eboli, like Shirley Verret, Florence Quivar, Grace Bumbry, Agnes Baltsa or Giulietta Simionato among others. But anyway Violeta Urmana did a good and convincing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème / Villazon, Voulgaridou, de la Merced, Marquardt, Tézier, Wiener Symphoniker, Schilmer - Jones & McDonald (Bregenzer Festspiele)

starring: Rolando Villazon, Alexia Voulgaridou, Elena de la Merced, Ludovic Tézier, Ulf Schirmer
directed by: Richard Jones, Anthony McDonald

Release Date June 26, 2007
I agree with many of the reviewers about the singing. All are correct except Amanda Roocroft. If she does not take care choosing apropriate roles for her voice like her outstanding Fiordiligi (the best that I have heard and seen, and the best Cosi available), she will not last too much time singing. Villazón is good but not as I expected. His tendency to shout the high notes makes unpleasant to listen and watch. In those moments his face almost turns red and looks strained. Dwayne Croft sings and acts great and convincing, the same as Robert Lloyd. I missed as other reviewers a darker chest voice for Eboli, like Shirley Verret, Florence Quivar, Grace Bumbry, Agnes Baltsa or Giulietta Simionato among others. But anyway Violeta Urmana did a good and convincing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Verdi - La Traviata / Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson, Helene Schneidermann, Salvatore Cordella, Carlo Rizzi, Salzburg Opera (Deluxe Edition)

starring: Giuseppe Verdi, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Vienna Philharmonic, Salzburger Festspiele

Release Date June 13, 2006
When watching this starkly modern rendition of Verdi's all-too-familiar masterpiece "La Traviata" it is best to abandon all pre-conceived notions about how this work should look and feel and just watch it for what it is: A new reading of a well-known opera. Not only is the singing universally outstanding, but the conceptualizing is refreshing and very much exciting. I, too, had my misgivings during the opening act's party scene, but I was willing to give the staging some time and discovered myself drawn in. By the end I was just beginning to fathom the ideas behind the use of a large clock to mark the passing of time and the sinister figure who later became the doctor in act three. This work will either impress or depress, but I guarantee it will not fail to leave its ... Read More: