Rolando Villazón has won the Rheingau Music Prize for 2026.

The Mexican tenor will receive €10,000 from the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture. Founded in 1994, the Rheingau Music Prize is given annually to established artists, composers, and musicologists or musical institutions in recognition of their contribution to musical life.

The citation for the award said, “The jury will award the Rheingau Music Prize 2026 to the internationally acclaimed opera singer Rolando Villazón, whose voice, charisma and stage presence have delighted audiences around the world for over 25 years. Particularly noteworthy is his extraordinary artistic versatility, which is impressively reflected in his activities as a director, author, presenter, artistic director and music mediator. In addition, Villazón promotes and inspires the next generation of classical musicians and acts as a mentor, idea creator and role model. With humor, charisma and infectious joy of life, he captivates people of all ages, makes classical music accessible to all and thus acts as an outstanding ambassador who sustainably carries this art into the future.”

In a statement, Timon Gremmels, Hessian Minister of Science and Research, Art and Culture said, “Rolando Villazón’s passion for music is honest, sympathetic, thrilling. It combines outstanding skill and extraordinary talent with charming ease. He touches and inspires people. I sincerely congratulate you on the award with the Rheingau Music Prize!”

Villazón has made regular appearances at major opera houses, including the Staatsoper Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Vienna State Opera, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Salzburg Festival. In 2019, he was appointed intendant of the Mozart Week Festival and was promoted to the artistic directorship in the summer of 2021.