“Tenor César Andrés Parreño was a perfect choice for the role of Rinuccio and his delivery of "Firenze è come un albero fiorito" was gloriously sung with just enough enthusiasm and believable emphasis on the ferment going on in Renaissance Florence.”
— Voce di Meche
“…bright, shining tenor voiced the part with conviction and real assurance. His sincere acting was commendable… we were mightily grateful that Mr. Parreño was able to step in to save the show with such artistic aplomb.”
— Opera Today
“Parreño displayed remarkably sweet tones that did not lack for passion.”
— Opera Wire
“…as Tom Rakewell, he sang with a gut-wrenching directness an open, vibrant sound.”
— Opera News
“Parreño valiantly replaced a covid-positive colleague for all but the first performance, brought a chilling edge to Dan White.”
— Wall Street Journal
“Avete torto!” from Gianni Schicchi
Performed during Juilliard Opera’s production of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.
Conducted by Daniela Candillari and directed by John Giampietro.
Tenor César Andrés Parreño is a native from Manabí, Ecuador. In early 2020, Parreño made his Peter Jay Sharp Theater soloist debut in NYFOS@Juilliard, and has performed in two other NYFOS concerts since. In 2021, Parreño made his Juilliard Orchestra soloist debut on Stravinsky’s Pulcinella conducted by Barbara Hannigan. Last season at Juilliard, Parreño starred as “Tom Rakewell” in The Rake’s Progress and sung “Momo” in Luigi Rossi’s L’Orfeo with Juilliard 415. In 2022, Parreño became an alumni of the Schwab Vocal Rising Stars program, a week long residency at Caramoor focused on song repertoire, concluding with a concert at Merkin Hall, in New York City.
In the summer, as a Gerdine Young Artist, Parreño made his debut with Opera Theater of Saint Louis as “Le Remendado” in Bizet’s Carmen and later that portraying “Dr. Caius” in Verdi’s Falstaff with Aspen Music Festival with Bryn Tefel as the title role. While at Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Parreño stepped into the role of “Dan White” in the world premiere of Stewart Wallace’s Harvey Milk: Reimagined for 5 out of 6 performances. He also received the Elihu Hyndman Memorial Award from Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. In February 2023, César became an inaugural winner of the Duncan Williams Voice Competition in the Emerging Artist division.
This spring at Juilliard, Parreño will debut as “Rinuccio” in Gianni Schicchi, under the baton of Daniela Candillari.
This coming summer season, Parreño will return to Opera theater of Saint Louis with the role of “Elder Hayes” in Susannah and then to Aspen as a Renée Fleming fellow. In Aspen, Parreño will perform as “Gen Watanabe” in Jimmy Lopez’ Bel Canto and also as “Gran Sacerdote di Nettuno” in Idomeneo, with Matthew Polenzani as the title role.
César Andrés Parreño is a proud Kovner Fellow in Darrell Babidge’s studio at Juilliard, where he is the first Ecuadorian to ever attend the institution.
