Mexican Cartoonist Trino Camacho and Opera Star Rolando Villazón Bring a Singing Tree to Life in New Animated Short

The Tree with the Big Red Scarf, a Corazón Latino project, premieres on social media on October 30th, 2026.

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 30, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Internationally acclaimed tenor and director Rolando Villazón has performed some of opera's most demanding roles. Now he's lending his voice to a tree.

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 premiering Friday, October 30, on Instagram and YouTube.

Trino, the celebrated syndicated Mexican cartoonist or “monero,” brings his distinctive artistic style to the film, while Villazón plays a singing tree that silently witnesses a family over time. The film unfolds entirely through music and animation, without one word of spoken dialogue.

The collaboration came about through Felipe Benítez, Executive Director and Founder of Corazón Latino, who brought the two artists together for the project. As it turned out, Trino and Villazón were already fans of 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.”

The Tree with the Big Red Scarf marks Villazón's third film collaboration with Corazon Latino, following projects filmed 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 animated short takes their partnership in a decidedly different 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 developing free downloadable coloring sheets and an educational discussion guide to accompany The Tree with the Big Red Scarf. The materials are intended for teachers and families who want to explore the story with children and discuss the importance of trees in their own communities.

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