In conversation with Jesús León: "The Vienna Opera Festival is a musical extravaganza that promises to immerse Audiences."
03. December 2023
Rubrik Interviews
©Leon Catania
Jesus Leon is not only one of the leading belcanto tenors, but moreover founder and creative director of the Wiener Festspiele. In an interview with Divas & Scholars Founder Lucy Woodruff, Jesus Leon talks about his forthcoming CD project which includes wonderful Napolitan and Latin American songs, due to be released in 2024.
Whilst also busily preparing for the Wiener Festspiele that will promise musical extravanganzas such as Mozart´s great masterpieces "Don Giovanni" and "Cosi fan tutte", Jesus Leon explains what acutally sets the Wiener Festspiele apart from any other summer festival activities.
Operaversum: How long have you lived in Vienna and what prompted your move here?
Jesús León: I have been in Austria for 12 years. It felt like destiny; I had contracts in Bregenz singing La Traviata and Rigoletto and Don Pasquale in Innsbruck. Living in London at the time, the intricate schedule of European travel required for my work led me to relocate to Vienna, and it turned out to be an excellent fit.
Operaversum: Your bel canto tenor voice is renowned internationally. Where has your busy schedule taken you during recent seasons?
Jesús León: Thank you! I've had the privilege of singing the role of Arnold in William Tell for Irish National Opera, participating in an early opera with the role of Hernan Cortes in Montezuma, and the role of Nadir in Les Pecheurs de Perles at the Palacio Bellas Artes in Mexico City, three concerts with the Munich Symphoniker in Munich, and recently performing Ernesto in Don Pasquale in Vigo, Spain.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to sing Messa di Gloria, which was live-streamed on BBC Radio 3, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Operaversum: Any new recordings since your Bel Canto album?
Jesus Leon: Yes, I had the chance to work on a new CD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Initially planned for 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic. The recording, featuring a selection of favourite Neapolitan songs, Italian and Latin American songs, and Zarzuela, will be released next year.
I'm particularly excited about two songs where I played the guitar accompanied by the orchestra, something I really wanted as it reflects what I have been doing occasionally in some of my concerts around the world.
Operavesum: Please tell us about the Wiener Festspiele / The Vienna Opera Festival?
Jesús León: The Vienna Opera Festival at the Musikverein is a musical extravaganza that promises to immerse audiences in the best opera. In summer 2024 we are thrilled to present Mozart's great masterpieces, "Don Giovanni" and "Cosi fan tutte,".
And our enchanting Verdi evening features excerpts from "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto". It will be an unforgettable journey through these timeless tales of love, tragedy and all human emotion.
Operaversum: The Musikverein is one of the most celebrated concert halls and its acoustics are legendary. How has it worked as a home for the festival?
Jesús León: It's a dream come true. The Musikverein's international reputation as a hub for music lovers and performances by the greatest artists make it an ideal platform for much of our festival. The building is historic, but the Glasener Saal is an intimate and stylish modern space and offers our audience a new form of operatic experience.
We choose operas that can harness the venue's acoustic strengths, ensuring that each note reverberates with precision. The architecture becomes a collaborator in the performance, shaping not just what the audience hears, but how they experience the emotional depth of the opera.
©Leon Catania
Operaversum: Who will be leading the orchestra in next summer’s productions?
Jesús León: Toby Purser, the Festival's Music Director and Head of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, conducts Mozart's "Don Giovanni." Alessandro Pagliazzi, the Italian conductor, will be overseeing the performances of "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto" in the Evening with Verdi, while Daniel Hoyem-Cavazza takes the baton for "Cosi fan tutte."
Operaversum: What do you envision for the festival's growth and development?
Jesús León: I anticipate its expansion, with a goal of attracting more renowned artists to collaborate. We're actively expanding our production team and working to increase our audience, aiming for international recognition beyond Vienna.
An exciting addition for our summer season involves offering exclusive packages to elevate the audience experience. Divas & Scholars is set to curate a delightful tour to the festspiele, drawing participants from around the world.
While they are with us, they will meet the artists, hear expert talks about the music and enjoy cultural excursions around Vienna in addition to attending the operas.
This VIP tour will also be open to global enthusiasts seeking the best of Vienna and the opera festival. I find this particularly appealing as it introduces a new dimension to our reach, connecting us with fresh audiences.
Operaversum: What sets the Vienna Opera Festival apart from other summer opera festivals?
Jesús León: The Vienna Opera Festival at the iconic Musikverein Concert Hall is unique. Many of the summer festivals are in country locations, but this is in the heart of one of the most beautiful capital cities.
It is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation within the hallowed walls of a venue renowned for its exceptional acoustics. The Glaserner Saal creates an immersive experience that transcends the ordinary.
Operaversum: Are any of the productions particularly suitable for young people?
Jesús León: Absolutely! At the Vienna Opera Festival, we believe in cultivating a love for opera across generations. Our productions with the vibrant staging, innovative interpretations and captivating storytelling certainly appeal to young audiences as well as seasoned opera lovers.
We are committed to making opera accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and naturally we would like to create future opera enthusiasts.
©Leon Catania
Tenor Jesús León studied at the UCLA Opera Studio, at the Solti Accademia di Bel Canto, at the Boston Opera Institute and was a member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program at Los Angeles Opera. In Italy he trained under the guidance of the legendary soprano Mirella Freni, who granted him the Nicolai Ghiaurov scholarship.
Further engagements 2022-23 season include Arnold in William Tell with Irish National Opera, Puccini,’s Mass with Liverpool Orchestra, Nadir in Les pecheurs de perles at Palacio de Bellas Artes Mexico, concerts with the Munich Philharmonic, and an album recording.
His last season included the roles of Hernan Cortes in Montezuma in Palace of Bellas Artes in Mexico, Elvino in La Sonnambula, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Alfredo in La Traviata at the Minnesota Opera, Roméo in Roméo et Juliette at Graz Opera, Hoffmann in Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Palace of Bellas Artes in Mexico, a concert at the Great Hall in Moscow and 7 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
León was awarded the first prize of the Vienna International Music Competition in February 2020. His award-winning concert took place on September 2020 at the Wiener Konzerthaus. In 2015 the singer released his debut CD under the title Bel Canto, accompanied by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Toby Purser and which is now distributed from Opus Arte/Naxos.
Past engagements included the roles of Duca in Rigoletto at the Oper im Steinbruch, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Florida Grand Opera, Arturo in I Puritani, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and Cavaradossi in Tosca at Grange Park Opera UK, Christmas concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day concerts at the Dubai Opera House, Elvino in La Sonnambula at the Staatstheater Stuttgart, the main role in Roméo et Juliette at the Opéra de Nice, Ismael in Nabucco at the Opera de Toulon, Nadir in Les pêcheurs de perles at the Opera di Firenze, at the Teatro Verdi di Trieste and at the Seoul Arts Centre, Duca in Rigoletto at the Opéra de Nice, the main role in Roméo et Juliette at the Royal Opera House Muscat and Elvino in La Sonnambula at the Teatro Filarmonico di Verona.
His intense concert activities have taken him to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Barbican Hall, Wigmore Hall, Orchestra Verdi in Milan and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria.
©Lucy Woodruff / Divas & Scholars
Lucy Woodruff loves what she is doing. And she is doing a lot. Passionate about opera and the art of singing, her Divas & Scholars events in London´s most exquisite Club Tramp are one of a kind venues to not only "Meet and Greet" well-established opera singers, but to learn about their art of singing, acting and living the opera life.
Lucy contributed a wonderful interview held with the well-reknowned belcanto singer Jesús León exclusively to Operaversum Magazine and found out about the Wiener Festspiele and future operatic projects to come.