Villazón to direct important Mozart festival

Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón will direct from 2019 the Mozartwoche , the music festival that each year commemorates the anniversary of the birth of the Austrian composer, confirmed sources of the institution that organizes it to EFE today.

"I am happy, honored and grateful to accept the enormous responsibility of serving the Master as the new artistic director of the Week of Mozart , the most famous Mozart festival in the world," the Mexican artist said about his appointment, according to a statement from The Mozart Foundation of Salzburg .

Villazón recalled that this city, in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756, has been very important in his life and career.

"He is one of the best friends of humanity. There is no composer more beloved and admired", said the tenor in that regard, and he ends saying: "Long live Mozart!"

Although the appointment as artistic director will be effective next July 1, 2019 will be the first edition of the Week of Mozart conceived and programmed by Villazón, who will hold the position, in principle, until 2023.

Johannes

Honsig

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Erlenburg

, president of the Mozarteum Foundation , emphasized the special relationship between this institution, Mozart and Villazón.

"The Mozart and Villazón is perhaps the most unusual, intense and exciting love story that could have happened to The International Mozarteum Foundation," he said.

With Villazon as director of the Mozartwoche, he said, it opens the possibility of "rediscovering Mozart in his inexhaustible diversity and depth."

Villazón had already become "ambassador" of the Mozarteum Foundation since January.

The Week of Mozart has been celebrated annually since 1956 around the anniversary of the birth of the composer on January 27 and brings together in Salzburg orchestras, ensembles and singers of international prestige.

Villazón himself plans to perform at next year's edition, which will also include the Argentinean-Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

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