Mexican tenor Ernesto Ramírez has earned acclaim for his distinctive Italianate vocal style, praised for its “wonderfully fluid line and brilliant high notes” and “suave, nuanced lyricism.”
Recent seasons have marked a period of exploration, rediscovery and expansion as Ramírez continues to balance opera, concert and oratorio. His recent operatic work includes Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Alfred in Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus with Alberta Vocal Arts, and most recently Turiddu in Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana with Alberta Vocal Arts.
As part of this continuing exploration, Ramírez also recently performed Tebaldo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchiin concert, returning to bel canto from the perspective of a voice that has continued to mature.
For a seasoned performer, exploring and rediscovering repertoire is more than adding new roles. It is a way of listening to the voice as it evolves—discovering where it now finds its most natural home.
Alongside his operatic work, Ramírez continues to explore Rachmaninoff in concert while developing a new series of recital programs centered on Spanish and Mexican repertoire, bringing together language, culture and the vocal traditions that have shaped his musical identity.
Among Ramírez’s European operatic engagements are Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with Angers Nantes Opéra in France, Ferrando in Mozart’s Così fan tutte in Switzerland, and performances of Rossini’s La Cenerentola in Spain and Germany—representing just a selection of his work on European stages.
Across North America and Mexico, his operatic appearances include Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at Teatro del Bicentenario in León, Mexico, and with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera; Alfredo in Verdi’s La traviata with Sarasota Opera in Sarasota, Florida, and Southern Ontario Lyric Opera; Rodolfo in Puccini’s La bohème with Pacific Northwest Opera; Don José in Bizet’s Carmen with Opera Kelowna and Orchestre Classique de Montréal; and Ralph Rackstraw in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore with Vancouver Opera.
Ramírez has also covered the title role in Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux with the Canadian Opera Company, in a production featuring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, as well as the Duke in Verdi’s Rigoletto with Edmonton Opera. Other significant repertoire includes Raoul in Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots, Arturo in Bellini’s I puritani, and Stefano in John Estacio’s Filumena with Calgary Opera, a role he later reprised in a digital production with the Brott Music Festival.
On the concert stage, Ramírez has performed Verdi’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, appearing with organizations including the Brott Music Festival, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Niagara Symphony and Kingston Symphony. His oratorio repertoire also includes Handel’s Messiah with Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir.
His international career has brought him to stages across Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States, encompassing opera, symphonic repertoire, oratorio and recital. He has also appeared at special events including a Puccini anniversary gala hosted by Simonetta Puccini.
During the pandemic, Ramírez participated in Against the Grain Theatre’s digital project BOUND, featuring original text by director Joel Ivany. He is also featured in the Opera Breaks cinematic series directed by François Racine, filmed by Coffeeshop Creative and produced by Domoney Artists.