Born in Mexico City, Vargas made his professional debut in 1983 and in 1986 won the Enrico Caruso competition in Italy.

What was the most recent album you bought?

The jazz musician Chet Baker - I love it!

Where do you most like listening to music - and why?

I like listening to music when I'm at home and feeling relaxed. I usually listen to Mexican pop music and some classical music. I never listen to opera when I'm at home though!

What songs do you sing in the bath?

Usually Questa O Quella (Questa o quella per me pari sono - This woman or that woman, 'tis the same to me), the Duke's aria from Verdi's Rigoletto which I will also perform at Covent Garden in September.

What song always makes you cry?

Pourquoi Me R�veiller, from Werther, the opera by Jules Massenet.

What was the first album you ever bought?

My first classical recording was a collection by Italian tenor Franco Corelli, which I bought when I was about 17 years old.

Which is your favourite and least favourite song?

My favourite songs are Bolero songs and one of the most beautiful is Sabor A Mi.

My least favourite would be some modern music (both classical and pop) which is empty and has no depth and nothing to it. I dislike music which is empty and has nothing to say.

Do you prefer CDs or vinyl? Why?

I prefer CDs, as the sound quality now is excellent.

Roughly how many records are there in your collection?

I've never counted - but I think at least 350 CDs.

Which artists do you currently most admire?

He is not a living artist, but the singer I most admire is Enrico Caruso - for me he is the person who invented the modern way of singing.

Which music websites do you visit regularly?

I don't visit music websites.

If you organised your dream music festival, who would have as headline act - and any supporting acts?

Well, in a dream world I would ask the tenor Jussi Bj�rling - and I would love to ask Orson Welles to be a presenter.