Opera flourishing in surprising ways

Published February 1, 2025

by Wiebke Küster

There are places in this world that keep pulling you back, no matter how far you roam. For me, one of those places is San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Known as one of the Pueblos Mágicos – magic towns – it truly lives up to its name. With its vibrant culture, stunning colonial architecture, and a creative pulse that rivals the world’s great art capitals, San Miguel is a small town with a big soul.

On my most recent visit, a friend called. “There’s a Noche Italiana concert tonight,” she said. “Young opera singers. Are you coming?” I hesitated. Italian opera? In Mexico’s high desert, in a town of just 70,000 people? Young singers? I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I decided to give it a go.

What I experienced that night was one of the most inspiring concerts I’ve attended in years. The event was part of Operísima México, an extraordinary project led by the remarkable Mexican pianist and vocal coach Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco.

Rogelio’s life story alone could fill a novel. As a répétiteur, he has worked in nearly all the world’s major opera houses, alongside legendary singers, including the incomparable Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Now, he has returned to Mexico, dedicating himself to building an opera studio in San Miguel de Allende.

Where he finds these young singers, I have no idea – but he does. And somehow, he even secures housing for them, allowing them to stay in San Miguel and fully immerse themselves in their studies. His training is rigorous: vocal technique, acting, language diction, and stagecraft. Every month, he and his troupe perform a full opera, much to the delight of the Sanmiguelenses, whether Mexican or expats, giving the singers invaluable stage experience and the chance to refine their artistry.

Operísima México thrives entirely on passion, generosity, and perseverance. Rogelio’s love for music fuels the program, alongside the support of a handful of patrons, led by Jack Kelly, a veteran of the entertainment industry who moved from New York to San Miguel to retire. Together, they work tirelessly to secure funding for these young artists, many of whom come from backgrounds with limited resources. Without this support, they would neither receive the training they need nor have the means to travel for auditions at major opera houses. (The financial burden placed on young singers to audition is definitely a subject for another blog post…)

Opera has found an unexpected home in San Miguel de Allende – a home that deserves all the applause in the world. Before Operísima, there was no opera studio in this part of Mexico, despite the wealth of talent waiting to be nurtured. Now, thanks to Rogelio and his team, gifted singers have a place to grow, perform, and reach for the careers they deserve.

I’m thrilled to support this phenomenal initiative however I can. One of the students, Karla Pineda, a brilliant young mezzo-soprano from Costa Rica, is already part of my roster. She has a voice that captivates instantly and a future I’m certain will shine brightly. I’m also in talks with another promising talent: a young tenor with that irresistible tear in his voice. Stay tuned!

¡Viva México, viva la ópera!

Source […]

Operísima México, based in San Miguel de Allende, was founded by Mtro. Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, pianist and vocal coach with more than 40 years of national and international experience in the preparation and perfection of artists in the field of opera. The objective of Operísima México is to develop classical singing talents, to give them the tools, knowledge and skills that take them to a competitive level in the world of opera. Among the activities carried out, the workshops for the study and perfection of roles in complete operas stand out, the improvement of stage and body movement, and the correct handling of languages (diction and phrasing in Italian, French, German and English), with the purpose of promoting the dissemination of opera and, in general, lyrical art in Mexico, as well as helping singers in their professional and personal development.