Obituary: Mexican Soprano Violeta Dávalos Lara Dies at 52

By Francisco Salazar

Violeta Dávalos Lara has died at the age of 52 after suffering from peritonitis.

The Mexican ministry of culture announced the news and Alejandra Frosto Guerrero, Culture Secretary, said, “We are shocked by the loss. Violeta is extraordinary. The Mexican opera is in mourning. My condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.”

Born in 1969, Lara studied at the Escuela Nacional de Música at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and went on to debut at the age of 19 in 1990 in “Aida” under Giuseppe Raffa. She became a soloist in the ensemble of the Bellas Artes and went on to win the gran prize at the Concurso de Canto Iberoamericano in 2001. She also won the Concurso Nacional de Canto Carlo Morelli and was a finalist at the Pavarotti competition.

The soprano went on to perform major operas including “La Bohème,” “Tosca,” “Madama Butterfly,” “La vida breve,” “La traviata,” “Stiffelio,” “Don Giovanni,” “Cavalleria rusticana,” “Pagliacci,” “Goyescas” and many zarzuelas.

Lara also participated in the world premieres of “Ambrosio” by José Antonio Guzmán, “Alicia y Brindis por un milenio” by Federico Ibarra and “Ildegonda” by Melesio Morales.

She was beloved at the Teatro del Bicentenario de León, Guanajuato and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. She also performed in Spain, Latin America, and Carnegie Hall and shared the stage with Ramón Vargas, Rolando Villazón, Aquiles Machado, and Juan Pons.

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