Fernando Varela (opera singer)
| Fernando Varela | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Fernando Julio Varela |
| Born | May 1, 1980 San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States |
| Genres | Classical, Pop Music, Classical Crossover |
| Occupation(s) | Recording Artist |
| Instruments | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Universal Music Group, Universal Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, Verve Label Group |
| Associated acts | Forte Tenors, David Foster |
| Website | http://www.fernandovarela.com |
Fernando Varela (born May 1, 1980) is an American operatic and classical crossover tenor, who has performed in staged operas, as a member of the classical crossover trio Forte Tenors, and as a solo artist. As a solo artist, he has toured internationally with David Foster, and also tours independently, having completed a European tour in 2016. In 2017, Varela debuted his PBS special "Fernando Varela: Coming Home" and will complete a North American tour in the fall.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Varela's family moved to central Florida when he was 8. He began singing at age 17 because he was "chasing after a girl who was an opera singer." At age 18, he auditioned for the music program at the University of Central Florida, where "they laughed at me. They told me I didn’t have what it took to be a singer." Varela called that the spark that made him decide to pursue singing "for real."
Discovered by David Foster in his "Born to Sing" competition, Varela has since performed with David on multiple tours in over 31 countries across the globe. Singing anything from Nessun Dorma to taking on all the parts in Bohemian Rhapsody in a solo performance, Varela's music spans a range of genres. David said of him "Luciano Pavarotti has been reborn! Varela has the voice and personality of a superstar." After performing in The Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City (produced by Walt Disney Entertainment, televised by Telemundo), Varela was approached by, and invited to study under Metropolitan Opera’s assistant director, Joan Dornemann. Varela has also been mentored by Mme. Licia Albanese, as well as by Maestro Giancarlo Chiaramello, conductor for Luciano Pavarotti. The Maestro said of Varela, "I have heard very few voices like yours." In Central Florida, Varela worked extensively with Bill Doherty, under whom Varela performed with the Central Florida Lyric Opera. He has also performed with the Palm Beach Opera, having performed in a total of 16 fully staged operas. As of fall 2014, Varela embarked on a 50 city tour of the US and Canada.
Varela was a founding member of the classical crossover group Forte Tenors, who placed 4th on Season 8 of America's Got Talent . As a ChildFund LIVE! artist, Varela, along with his wife Susan, traveled to Ecuador, and have been working to help find sponsorship of every child in the village they visited. He was named to Huffington Post's list of 50 Top Latino Voices To Follow On Twitter. Varela is also a producer, having produced his own albums and those of several other artists, as well as numerous events and shows in Central Florida and across the country.
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