Who is Abraham Bretón?
I am a tenor and an opera singer with dual Spanish and Mexican nationality. I was born and raised in Mexico, Puebla. But I lived part of my childhood and youth near a small town called Huamantla in state of Tlaxcala. I grew up on a ranch, surrounded by horses, music, and the deep-rooted traditions of my country.
As a child, I practiced charrería, Mexico’s national sport, and spent many years riding horseback, living close to nature and family. My upbringing was shaped by the warmth of my parents and my sister, and today I am lucky to have a beautiful family of my own. I’m married, and I have two young children. They are the greatest source of joy and inspiration in my life.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I believe that not only myself, but my entire generation carries a certain weight – a constant sense of uncertainty about the future. We see so many changes unfolding in our world: climate change, social and economic shifts, wars, and a general feeling that the world is at a turning point.
If I were to change something in my life to have a more positive impact, it would be to slow down and fully embrace both the extraordinary and the ordinary moments – to be present in them, to truly feel them.
Right now, I’m in the beautiful city of Sydney, singing at the iconic Sydney Opera House – an absolute dream come true for me, as it is for so many of us who are part of this art form. It’s a milestone I deeply cherish and one that I am fully enjoying.
But just as I want to honour and savour moments like this, I also want to be more mindful of life’s simpler joys: a walk in the fresh air, a sunny afternoon, a delicious meal, a quiet moment with a good book or film, time spent with my wife, my children, my parents, and my sister.
This month, my grandmother – my mother’s mother – is turning 100 years old. Although I couldn’t be there for the celebration because of my work here, I’ll soon travel to Mexico to see her and give her a long-awaited hug. That’s something I look forward to with great joy.
So yes, I would try to let go of some of the weight I carry – of the constant overthinking about where the world is going – and instead choose to be more present. Not by ignoring what’s happening around us, but by recognising the value of what we already have. Because in the end, it’s those moments – big and small – that give life its meaning. And I believe that learning to truly live them is one of the most powerful things we can do.
Who inspires you and why?
Throughout my life, I’ve seen my parents through different lenses – first through the eyes of a child, then a teenager, and eventually as an adult. But everything shifted when I formed my own family and became a father myself. Suddenly, so much of what they did for me took on a deeper meaning.
What inspires me most now is the realisation of just how many sacrifices my parents made to give me the life I’ve had – to support me unconditionally, to cheer me on, and to always stay close, even when distance or life’s challenges made that difficult.
Even today, they continue to show their love and support in meaningful ways. For example, my mother is coming all the way to Australia to be here with me and see me debut at the Sydney Opera House. That gesture – her presence – means the world to me.
That kind of unconditional love, that tireless effort parents make to be there for their children, is one of the most powerful sources of inspiration I know. I now see it reflected in myself – in the way I look at my own children. They inspire me every single day to grow, to strive, to give the very best of myself. I want to be the best father I can be for them. And in that journey, I’ve found not only motivation, but also a deep sense of purpose.
One of the biggest challenges – and also the greatest joys – is trying to give my children everything they need, while also teaching them to earn it. I want to pass on what my parents gave me: the hunger to succeed, to improve, and to shape the world around them. Not necessarily in material terms, but in the sense of building a life that’s meaningful to them – a life lived on their own terms, with respect for others, and a clear understanding of what brings them joy.
So yes, if I had to define my inspiration, it would be this: my parents gave me the fuel to begin the journey, and now my family – especially my wife and children – are the engine that keeps me going.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
That’s a difficult question, because the world is going through a very complex time, and often, from where we stand, it can feel like we have very little power to change anything. And I do feel that way sometimes. As an opera singer, I don’t always believe I can have the kind of immediate impact I wish I could – especially when it comes to the things I see as unjust or deeply troubling.
But one principle I strongly believe in is that we need, as individuals and as a society, to respect life – human life above all, but also the life of animals and the planet. We need to be conscious of how far we can go, how much we can take, how much we can consume. And we must also learn to respect the dignity of every human being.
If I could devote my life to making a positive change, it would be to help raise awareness – to sensitise people to the horrors of war, and also to the devastating effects of a world driven by extreme materialism. I find it difficult to comprehend how, in today’s world, we still have people who live with unimaginable wealth while so many others endure unimaginable poverty.
I’m not a communist, not at all – but I do believe in social responsibility. I believe we need to build a world where everyone who contributes to society has the means to live with dignity.
From my position, the most meaningful thing I can do is to speak up when I can, to share what I believe in, and above all, to help open hearts. I’ve always felt that art is what most clearly separates us from being merely animals – it’s what awakens our humanity.
Through opera, the art form I chose, I try to bring that sensitivity to others. Right now, I’m supporting a project in my hometown in Mexico – an opera initiative for young singers. I founded it and continue to lead and support it, both financially and personally.
In Latin America, there are incredibly talented young people who don’t have access to the kind of training or opportunities they deserve. Through this program, I hope to offer them the tools they need to find their path and shape their future.
To me, this is how we begin to heal the pain of the world – not by turning away or offering empty words, but by going directly to the places where that pain exists, and meeting it with love, with presence, and with art. If, by the end of my life, I’ve managed to touch even one more heart – to make even one person feel more deeply, or care more – then I believe I will have done something meaningful.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I believe there are different kinds of vacations, and depending on the purpose, I have several favourite types of destinations. If I have the luxury to choose freely, I love discovering new places. And in that sense, I don’t think I could name just one favourite – because what excites me most is the experience of exploring somewhere I’ve never been before.
I’m especially drawn to places outside of the big cities – small towns where tradition is alive, where culture remains intact, where you can still feel the spirit of those who came before. I love visiting places where you can taste the real local food, wear traditional clothing, and truly feel the essence of the region.
In Mexico, for example, whenever I went to a charreada and saw my family dressed in traditional charro suits – and myself as well – I realised how deeply culture can shape who we are. I often thought: people who only visit Mexico City or the beach might never fully experience what being Mexican really means. That’s what I seek when I travel: to go beyond the tourist path and find those magical, authentic experiences.
Then there are family holidays. My children are still very young – four and two years old – so right now, I look for places where they can feel safe, free, and engaged. We love being in nature, where they can interact with animals, run around, or swim. Anywhere that allows them to be kids, to explore and play, becomes an ideal vacation spot for us as a family.
And lastly, there are the vacations meant for true rest – those rare and beautiful moments you get to enjoy just with your partner. In my case, with my wife. For that, I absolutely love the Mexican beaches. They’re truly a paradise. But there are also stunning places all across South America and Europe.
These are the kinds of destinations where, for a few days, you can slow down the pace of life – breathe, enjoy a sunrise, soak in the sun, and share a quiet drink. Those moments, too, stay with me forever.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
That’s probably the easiest question to answer! I think my musical vocation always finds a way to be present whenever friends come to visit – whether it’s in Germany, where I currently live, in Mexico, where I grew up, or wherever life and work may have taken me.
What I enjoy most is sharing music, because it’s what I love most. And I believe the best thing you can offer someone is what brings you the greatest joy. In Mexico, that usually means mariachi – our traditional music – and I love taking friends to events filled with folklore, heritage, and that unmistakable Mexican spirit. There’s something truly special about watching someone experience that richness for the first time.
In Germany, where the cultural life is incredibly rich, there’s always an opera, a concert, or an outdoor festival to attend. So if friends visit me there, I’ll make sure they get to experience that side of life too – the passion and precision of European classical music in all its depth.
And now, for example, if any of my friends came to see me here in Sydney, it would be such a joy to invite them to a performance of Carmen – the beautiful opera by Georges Bizet that I’m currently performing in, with so much love and dedication. It’s not just a show – it’s something I’d be proud to share with them. So yes, in every case, it always comes back to music – because for me, it’s the most honest and joyful way to connect.
What are you currently reading?
I’m a big fan of historical fiction – especially stories inspired by real events. Because of my profession, I also find myself reading a lot of novels that operas are based on. It helps me discover deeper layers in the characters I portray on stage and gives me new tools to bring them to life in a more authentic way.
I also enjoy reading philosophy and like to stay informed about political, economic, and social issues. My work demands that I constantly read music and study history as well, but when I read simply for pleasure, I’m 100% drawn to well-written historical fiction.
One of my favourite authors is Valerio Massimo Manfredi. I’ve read several of his books, including Talos of Sparta, the Alexander the Great trilogy, The Last Legion – which is one of my all-time favourites – Chimera, The Pharaoh of the Desert, The Tyrant, and many others.
What are you currently listening to?
I spend a lot of time listening to the music I’m studying – often in several different versions. For example, as I prepare to perform Don José again in Carmen, I listen to recordings by different singers, conductors, and orchestras from various eras. It’s an essential part of how I deepen my understanding of the role and refine my interpretation.
But I don’t only listen to opera. I also love classical music more broadly, and I’m a big fan of Mexican music – especially mariachi. I grew up listening to icons like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete. Though they passed away long ago, their voices left an indelible mark on Mexican culture and on my heart.
Outside of music, I also enjoy listening to podcasts on philosophy and economics. One voice I follow is Diego Ruzzarín (in Spanish). I appreciate the way he questions the world around us – he doesn’t offer easy answers or a sugar-coated view, and I find that refreshing.
His reflections often push me to think more deeply about who I want to be, and how to make choices that are truly my own, beyond positive or negative influences. That kind of authenticity is something I deeply value.
Happiness is?
For someone like me who loves philosophy, the concept of happiness is both fascinating and incredibly difficult to define. Over time, I’ve found that my understanding of happiness has been shaped by different philosophical perspectives – each offering something valuable.
Plato, for example, believed that happiness lies in the cultivation of virtues – not just individually, but within a community. When every person fulfils their role with dignity and responsibility, a society as a whole can experience harmony. I deeply connect with this idea: if we each do our part well, we move closer to collective happiness.
Then came Aristotle, who focused more on individual happiness and introduced the idea of balance and prudence – encouraging us to change what we can and to be at peace with what we cannot. That’s a powerful lesson in acceptance and personal harmony.
Epicurus, though often misunderstood, brought another angle: that wisdom and knowledge are tools to help us access simple pleasures – not excessive indulgences, but the quiet joys of life. A warm meal, a safe place to sleep, meaningful friendships – for him, that was enough for happiness. And I believe he had a point.
Later, Kant questioned whether we could even define happiness universally, since it is experienced so differently by each person. And he was right – happiness isn’t a fixed destination. So, as someone far less significant than these great thinkers, I’d say that for me, happiness lies in a balance of all these ideas. It’s in the pursuit of virtue, in knowledge, and yes – in simple pleasures, too. I don’t mean indulgence or excess, but the pleasure of a good conversation, time with family, a delicious meal, or a long walk.
But one crucial element I always come back to is this: personal happiness can’t be completely separated from the happiness of others. If someone were to gather all the wealth and knowledge in the world but leave everyone else in poverty, they would find themselves alone – and I don’t believe true happiness can exist in isolation.
So I think our happiness – in virtues and in pleasures – must be sought in a way that’s responsible and integrated into the well-being of others. Ultimately, happiness also depends on our perspective and the way we respond to life.
To be honest, answering this question leaves me with more questions than answers. But maybe that’s part of what makes the pursuit of happiness so meaningful.
What does the future hold for you?
I could tell you about the professional steps I want to take – the roles I hope to sing, the ambitions I have as a singer and as an artist. But after going through this interview, and reflecting so deeply on who I am and what everything I do means – both to myself and to those around me – I realise something.
What truly lies ahead for me, what really matters in my destiny, is something much more simple and meaningful.
A kiss from my wife and children.
A hug from my parents.
A meal with my family and friends.
A quiet ride on horseback.
And a good tequila!
Abraham stars as Don Jose in Opera Australia’s production of Carmen – which will be presented in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House from 10 July 2025. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Abraham Bretón – photo by Barbara Aumüller