Ramón Vargas

Born in Mexico City, the seventh of nine children. Ramón Vargas began singing at the age of 9, joining the boys' choir of the Basilica of Guadalupe in his home town. He then studied at the Cardenal Miranda Institute in México City, with Antonio Lopez and Ricardo Sanchez. Ramón Vargas' international debut took place in 1992, when the New York Metropolitan Opera asked him to sing Edgardo opposite June Anderson, substituting Luciano Pavarotti. This was soon followed by a debut on the stage of La Scala, in 1993, where he sang Fenton in Strehler's new production celebrating the centenary of Falstaff, conducted by Riccardo Muti. He now regularly performs at all the major opera houses all over the world to great acclaim.

La Cenerentola (1997)

A timeless tale told in a florid bel canto style, Rossini’s take on the Cinderella story offers an ideal propellant for a virtuosic mezzo-soprano to rocket from rags to riches. But in this retelling, the supporting characters soar just as high: Cinderella’s Prince, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Large  •  Cesare Lievi
CAST:  Cecilia Bartoli  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Alessandro Corbelli  •  Simone Alaimo

A timeless tale told in a florid bel canto style, Rossini’s take on the Cinderella story offers an ideal propellant for a virtuosic mezzo-soprano to rocket from rags to riches. But in this retelling, the supporting characters soar just as high: Cinderella’s Prince, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Large  •  Cesare Lievi
CAST:  Cecilia Bartoli  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Alessandro Corbelli  •  Simone Alaimo

Verdi: Don Carlo (2013)

Teatro Regio’s 2013 revival of their highly successful 2006 production of Verdi’s Don Carlo celebrates the 40th anniversary of the theatre’s reopening in 1973. With traditional staging and lavish costume design, the production garnered high acclaim in the national ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hugo De Ana
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Svetlana Kasyan  •  Ildar Abdrazakov  •  Ludovic Tézier

Teatro Regio’s 2013 revival of their highly successful 2006 production of Verdi’s Don Carlo celebrates the 40th anniversary of the theatre’s reopening in 1973. With traditional staging and lavish costume design, the production garnered high acclaim in the national ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hugo De Ana
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Svetlana Kasyan  •  Ildar Abdrazakov  •  Ludovic Tézier

Puccini: La Bohème (2008)

Puccini’s evergreen paean to young love and the bohemian life has captivated generations of Met-goers through Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic production. Movie theater audiences for the high-definition transmission of this staging got to see it with fresh eyes in a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Franco Zeffirelli  •  Gary Halvorson
CAST:  Ludovic Tézier  •  Ainhoa Arteta  •  Oren Gradus  •  Quinn Kelsey

Puccini’s evergreen paean to young love and the bohemian life has captivated generations of Met-goers through Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic production. Movie theater audiences for the high-definition transmission of this staging got to see it with fresh eyes in a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Franco Zeffirelli  •  Gary Halvorson
CAST:  Ludovic Tézier  •  Ainhoa Arteta  •  Oren Gradus  •  Quinn Kelsey

Les Contes d'Hoffman (2017)

This adaptation of three tales by E.T.A. Hoffmann, with a sprinkling of Goethe’s Faust, portrays the German poet as both narrator and hero recounting his love affairs with Olympia, Antonia and Giuletta. Robert Carsen’s spectacular production highlights the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Stéphanie d'Oustrac  •  Roberto Tagliavini  •  Yann Beuron

This adaptation of three tales by E.T.A. Hoffmann, with a sprinkling of Goethe’s Faust, portrays the German poet as both narrator and hero recounting his love affairs with Olympia, Antonia and Giuletta. Robert Carsen’s spectacular production highlights the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Stéphanie d'Oustrac  •  Roberto Tagliavini  •  Yann Beuron

Ernani (2017)

Stage director Jean-Louis Grinda and the Opéra de Monte-Carlo present Verdi’s early smash hit opera Ernani. Ramon Vargas heads up an incredible cast in the heroic title role and maestro Daniele Callegari leads the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in the sumptuous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephan Aube
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Ludovic Tézier  •  Alexander Vinogradov  •  Svetla Vassileva

Stage director Jean-Louis Grinda and the Opéra de Monte-Carlo present Verdi’s early smash hit opera Ernani. Ramon Vargas heads up an incredible cast in the heroic title role and maestro Daniele Callegari leads the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in the sumptuous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephan Aube
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Ludovic Tézier  •  Alexander Vinogradov  •  Svetla Vassileva

Love, Money and Philosophy (1996)

Stefano, a philosophy grad student without a future, tries to commit suicide after his girlfriend leaves him. He is saved by Giulio, a wisecracking plumber who takes him home and teaches him the tricks of the trade. When Lucia, a woman disappointed in both men and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Giuseppe Piccioni
CAST:  Giulio Scarpati  •  Gene Gnocchi  •  Margherita Buy  •  Antonio Catania

Stefano, a philosophy grad student without a future, tries to commit suicide after his girlfriend leaves him. He is saved by Giulio, a wisecracking plumber who takes him home and teaches him the tricks of the trade. When Lucia, a woman disappointed in both men and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Giuseppe Piccioni
CAST:  Giulio Scarpati  •  Gene Gnocchi  •  Margherita Buy  •  Antonio Catania

Don Carlos (2005)

Politics and love leads to a love triangle between father, son and stepmother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Anton Reitzenstein
CAST:  Alastair Miles  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Bo Skovhus  •  Simon Yang

Politics and love leads to a love triangle between father, son and stepmother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Anton Reitzenstein
CAST:  Alastair Miles  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Bo Skovhus  •  Simon Yang

Verdi: La Traviata (2007)

Live from La Scala Saturday 07 July 2007. In this live performance of Giuseppe Verdi's opera, Violetta, a courtesan much wooed by Parisian society, organises a grand party that is attended, amongst others, by the young Alfredo Germont. He confesses his feelings to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Liliana Cavani
CAST:  Angela Gheorghiu  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Roberto Frontali  •  Natascha Petrinsky

Live from La Scala Saturday 07 July 2007. In this live performance of Giuseppe Verdi's opera, Violetta, a courtesan much wooed by Parisian society, organises a grand party that is attended, amongst others, by the young Alfredo Germont. He confesses his feelings to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Liliana Cavani
CAST:  Angela Gheorghiu  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Roberto Frontali  •  Natascha Petrinsky

Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffmann (2016)

This adaptation of three tales by E.T.A. Hoffmann, with a sprinkling of Goethe’s Faust, portrays the German poet as both narrator and hero recounting his love affairs with Olympia, Antonia and Giuletta. Robert Carsen’s spectacular production highlights the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Nadine Koutcher  •  Kate Aldrich  •  Ermonela Jaho

This adaptation of three tales by E.T.A. Hoffmann, with a sprinkling of Goethe’s Faust, portrays the German poet as both narrator and hero recounting his love affairs with Olympia, Antonia and Giuletta. Robert Carsen’s spectacular production highlights the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Nadine Koutcher  •  Kate Aldrich  •  Ermonela Jaho

 (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Nadine Koutcher  •  Kate Aldrich  •  Ermonela Jaho  •  Stéphanie d'Oustrac

Don Giovanni (2008)

DON GIOVANNI is one of the timeless classics of all opera. Mozart’s music, and the words of his great collaborator Da Ponte, are brought to life in Francesca Zambello’s engrossing production with its rich and colourful designs by Maria Bjornson. The music is ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francesca Zambello
CAST:  Simon Keenlyside  •  Kyle Ketelsen  •  Marina Poplavskaya  •  Ramón Vargas

DON GIOVANNI is one of the timeless classics of all opera. Mozart’s music, and the words of his great collaborator Da Ponte, are brought to life in Francesca Zambello’s engrossing production with its rich and colourful designs by Maria Bjornson. The music is ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francesca Zambello
CAST:  Simon Keenlyside  •  Kyle Ketelsen  •  Marina Poplavskaya  •  Ramón Vargas

Boito Mefistofele (2013)

The season kicks off with Boitos resplendent retelling of Goethes Faust, a monumental work of 'choral grandeur and melodic richness' (The New York Times) in one of the most impressive productions ever seen at the War Memorial Opera House. The cast includes Ramón ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen  •  Frank Zamacona
CAST:  Ildar Abdrazakov  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Patricia Racette  •  Nicola Luisotti

The season kicks off with Boitos resplendent retelling of Goethes Faust, a monumental work of 'choral grandeur and melodic richness' (The New York Times) in one of the most impressive productions ever seen at the War Memorial Opera House. The cast includes Ramón ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Carsen  •  Frank Zamacona
CAST:  Ildar Abdrazakov  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Patricia Racette  •  Nicola Luisotti

Die Operngala der Stars (Baden Baden 2007) (2007)

Deutsche Grammophon proudly presents the new faces of the opera world in a glamorous new live concert DVD: Anna Netrebko, Elına Garanca, Ramón Vargas and the highly acclaimed young French baritone Ludovic Tézier sing a wide range of Italian and French opera ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Anna Netrebko  •  Elina Garanca  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Ludovic Tézier

Deutsche Grammophon proudly presents the new faces of the opera world in a glamorous new live concert DVD: Anna Netrebko, Elına Garanca, Ramón Vargas and the highly acclaimed young French baritone Ludovic Tézier sing a wide range of Italian and French opera ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Anna Netrebko  •  Elina Garanca  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Ludovic Tézier

The Metropolitan Opera: Don Giovanni (2011)

Imbuing the familiar Don Juan myth with a captivating combination of comedy, seductiveness, danger, and damnation, Mozart created an enduring masterpiece that has been a cornerstone of the repertory since its 1787 premiere. The opera offers a rare opportunity for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barbara Willis Sweete  •  Michael Grandage
CAST:  Mariusz Kwiecien  •  Luca Pisaroni  •  Marina Rebeka  •  Ramón Vargas

Imbuing the familiar Don Juan myth with a captivating combination of comedy, seductiveness, danger, and damnation, Mozart created an enduring masterpiece that has been a cornerstone of the repertory since its 1787 premiere. The opera offers a rare opportunity for ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Barbara Willis Sweete  •  Michael Grandage
CAST:  Mariusz Kwiecien  •  Luca Pisaroni  •  Marina Rebeka  •  Ramón Vargas

Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin (2007)

The pain of unrequited love is portrayed unforgettably by two of today’s greatest stars. Renée Fleming is musically and dramatically radiant as the shy Tatiana, who falls in love with the worldly Onegin, played with devastating charisma by Dmitri Hvorostovsky. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Large  •  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Renée Fleming  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Dmitri Hvorostovsky  •  Elena Zaremba

The pain of unrequited love is portrayed unforgettably by two of today’s greatest stars. Renée Fleming is musically and dramatically radiant as the shy Tatiana, who falls in love with the worldly Onegin, played with devastating charisma by Dmitri Hvorostovsky. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian Large  •  Robert Carsen
CAST:  Renée Fleming  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Dmitri Hvorostovsky  •  Elena Zaremba

A Verdi Gala from Berlin (2002)

Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in this gala New Year's Eve performance, organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's death. Recorded in 2000, the program includes excerpts from the composer's "La Traviata," "Falstaff," ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Andrea Rost  •  Claudio Abbado  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Berliner Philharmoniker

Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in this gala New Year's Eve performance, organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's death. Recorded in 2000, the program includes excerpts from the composer's "La Traviata," "Falstaff," ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Andrea Rost  •  Claudio Abbado  •  Ramón Vargas  •  Berliner Philharmoniker

Opening Night Gala Starring Renée Fleming (2008)

Keeping with a long-standing tradition, Renee Fleming kicks off the new season at the Met with scenes from Verdi's Traviata, Massenet's Manon, and Strauss' Capriccio. She is joined by Ramon Vargas and Thomas Hampson.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Halvorson
CAST:  Renée Fleming  •  Dwayne Croft  •  Kathryn Day  •  Michael Devlin

Keeping with a long-standing tradition, Renee Fleming kicks off the new season at the Met with scenes from Verdi's Traviata, Massenet's Manon, and Strauss' Capriccio. She is joined by Ramon Vargas and Thomas Hampson.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Halvorson
CAST:  Renée Fleming  •  Dwayne Croft  •  Kathryn Day  •  Michael Devlin

The Berliner Philharmoniker’s New Year’s Eve Concert: 2000 (2000)

The annual New Year’s Eve Concert is one of the highlights in the calendar of every classical music fan in Berlin and beyond. On New Year‘s Eve, the Berliner Philharmoniker invite an exceptional soloist for a festive gala. Together, the musicians bid farewell to ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Claudio Abbado  •  Andrea Rost  •  Alan Titus  •  Ramón Vargas

The annual New Year’s Eve Concert is one of the highlights in the calendar of every classical music fan in Berlin and beyond. On New Year‘s Eve, the Berliner Philharmoniker invite an exceptional soloist for a festive gala. Together, the musicians bid farewell to ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Claudio Abbado  •  Andrea Rost  •  Alan Titus  •  Ramón Vargas

Rigoletto (1996)

Paris Opera, October 1996. New production Jérôme Savary  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jérôme Savary  •  André Flédérick
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Paolo Gavanelli  •  Andrea Rost  •  Miguel Angel Zapater

Paris Opera, October 1996. New production Jérôme Savary  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jérôme Savary  •  André Flédérick
CAST:  Ramón Vargas  •  Paolo Gavanelli  •  Andrea Rost  •  Miguel Angel Zapater