The Tree with the Big Red Scarf, a Corazón Latino project, premieres on social media on October 30th, 2026.
Opera fans know Rolando Villazón for tackling some of the most demanding tenor roles in the repertoire. But on October 30, the internationally acclaimed singer takes on a part unlike any he has played before: a tree that sings.
Villazón joins celebrated Mexican cartoonist José Trinidad Camacho Orozco “Trino” in The Tree with the Big Red Scarf, a new animated short from Corazón Latino that debuts Friday, October 30, on Instagram and YouTube.
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Trino, whose syndicated work has made him one of Mexico’s best-known “moneros,” brings his signature visual style to the film. Villazón voices a tree that quietly observes a family across the years. The story is told entirely through music and animation — no dialogue, no narration, no words at all.
The pairing came together through Felipe Benítez, Executive Director and Founder of Corazón Latino, who connected the two artists. It turned out they already admired each other’s work.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Rolando Villazón for years, so when they asked me if I’d like to turn him into a singing tree, I thought, well, that’s certainly one way to meet your idol!” said Trino Camacho, the film’s animator and illustrator. “I’ve drawn a lot of interesting characters in my career, but turning one of the world’s great tenors into a tree was a first. What I admire most about Rolando, beyond his extraordinary talent, is his kindness and enormous heart. I never imagined I’d get to work with someone I admire so much, let alone turn him into a tree! I can’t wait for the world to see the film.”
“As a nature lover, an admirer of Trino Camacho’s work, I’m delighted to make my animated debut in The Tree with the Big Red Scarf,” said internationally acclaimed tenor Rolando Villazón. “I’ve graced many stages around the world, but this is the first time I’ve sung one of my favorite arias as a cartoon character! I hope this little film brings a smile to kids and adults alike and reminds us how important trees are to all of us.”
This project marks Villazón’s third film collaboration with Corazón Latino, after earlier work shot in New York and Austria for the Stories of Trees platform. Written by filmmaker Stacy Whittle — who also serves as musical director and voices the baby — the new short takes the partnership in a fresh creative direction.
“After working on two films together, what better to do than turn Rolando Villazón into a tree that can belt out arias?” said Stacy Whittle, the film’s writer and director. “And what a joy it’s been to work with Rolando and Trino, two enormously talented artists who are as kind as they are gifted.”
The Tree with the Big Red Scarf is a project of Corazón Latino, funded by the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. The organization hopes the film will introduce more people, especially children, to the importance of trees through a story they can enjoy without explanation or translation.
“One of the great pleasures of this project was bringing Rolando and Trino together, especially when we discovered they were already fans of each other’s work,” said Felipe Benítez, Founder and Executive Director of Corazón Latino. “Stacy and I wanted to create something kids would genuinely enjoy, and Trino’s wonderful sense of humor and unmistakable drawings, together with Rolando’s incredible voice, made that possible. If kids come away loving trees a little more, and maybe even developing a taste for opera, then we’ve done something worthwhile.”
Beyond the Film
Corazón Latino is also developing free downloadable coloring sheets and an educational discussion guide to accompany The Tree with the Big Red Scarf. These materials are designed for teachers and families who want to explore the story with children and talk about the role of trees in their own neighborhoods.
The educational resources will be available at https://storiesoftrees.org/animation.
Instagram Premiere: October 30th
Interviews may be requested through the media contact below.
About Corazón Latino
Corazón Latino is a nonprofit organization that uses culture and the arts to connect communities with nature and expand access to environmental education.
Learn more at www.corazonlatino.us.
Stacy Whittle
Heart Theatre / Teatro del Corazón
+1 202-664-4013
Why it matters: By pairing a beloved visual humorist with a world-class opera voice, this wordless short offers a rare kind of cultural crossover — one that speaks to children and adults alike, and makes the case for environmental stewardship through art rather than lectures. If it succeeds, it could help a new generation connect with both nature and opera in a single sitting.
