Juan Diego Florez

[Maciek]

Another one of those vocalists that I've heard little from but what I've heard impressed me mightily. Any thoughts on his singing? CD or DVD recommendations? Or was my first impression all wrong and I should steer clear?

Cheers,
Maciek

[bhodges]

No, no -- your first impression was absolutely correct: he is marvelous.  I've only heard him live once (at the Met in last season's new Don Pasquale), and then on TV here in a brief excerpt from the new production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. 

I probably can't be of much help, since I don't much care for the repertoire he sings (e.g., Rossini and Donizetti), but he is terrific, no doubt about it. 

--Bruce

[Wendell_E]

I've got the DG recording of Le Comte Ory, and Decca recording of Rossini arias.  I like 'em well enough, but, like Bruce, it's not my favorite sort of repertory.

Here's a video of a 16 year-old JDF singing a pop song on Peruvian TV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7NVo-ZoDos   

[Maciek]

Yes, I've noticed a DVD of Il barbiere di Siviglia with him in it, and the production looked very interesting also. And what I heard of La fille du regiment (someone posted a link to those short clips from the news on the old GMG) was breathtaking!

You should both expand your repertoires, Bruce and Wendell_E! Rossini can be so much fun! (And if you do that, Bruce, maybe Bartoli will finally record that Ferneyhough disc you've been dreaming of .)

And thanks for the truly disturbing clip, Wendell_E! Really creepy...

[Wendell_E]

You should both expand your repertoires, Bruce and Wendell_E! Rossini can be so much fun!

In addition to that Comte Ory, I've also got recordings of Cenerentola, L'Italiana in Algeri, Il Turco in Italia, Il Viaggo a Reims and Guillaume Tell.  Plus three recordings of Barbiere of Siviglia and two of Semiramide.  I'm probably forgetting something*.  But Rossini's just no Berg!   

Speaking of fun, I rented a Muti-conducted DVD of Verdi's Falstaff with JDF that was fairly amusing.

*And I did:  Tancredi.  I actually prefer the serious Rossini operas to the comedies.

[bhodges]

Yes, I've noticed a DVD of Il barbiere di Siviglia with him in it, and the production looked very interesting also. And what I heard of La fille du regiment (someone posted a link to those short clips from the news on the old GMG) was breathtaking!

You should both expand your repertoires, Bruce and Wendell_E! Rossini can be so much fun! (And if you do that, Bruce, maybe Bartoli will finally record that Ferneyhough disc you've been dreaming of .)

And thanks for the truly disturbing clip, Wendell_E! Really creepy...

    Ah yes...[dreaming of Bartoli in Ferneyhough]...  

I actually had a good time at Don Pasquale (also with Anna Netrebko, who was sensational), and enjoyed it more than I would have imagined.  And I can enjoy a little of Rossini, just to be fair!  But given the choice, my ears will usually drag me off to something else, alas, and the competition for your listening time is just so fierce around here. 

But back to Flórez.  Next season he is in this new production (actually, a co-production with Covent Garden -- perhaps the one you saw?) of La Fille du Régiment, and the set looks really cool: the floor is made of giant, crumpled maps. 

Just saw Wendell's comment that gave me a chuckle, and I guess I have to agree: "But Rossini's just no Berg!" 

--Bruce

[Maciek]

OK, I give up: he isn't.

But he's a Rossini!

[CaroNome]

I say: get his Rossini Aria CD. It's the best!!!!
I saw him in Barber of Seville this season and let me tell you... this guy can sing Rossini! It was amazing!!!

I think we should also congratulate him... he was married last Monday.

~Pace e Gioia~

[Heather Harrison]

I have the DVD of La Fille du Regiment with Florez and Patrizia Ciofi.  Both are great in this role, and the production is interesting.  It is updated to the end of World War II, and the regiment is American, rather than French as in the original.  This does create some incongruities in the libretto, but it works anyway.



This is the performance that introduced me to Juan Diego Florez; I have since purchased most of his recital CDs.

Heather

[Lilas Pastia]

He's a splendid singer. His Rossini recital is spectacular.

[Hector]

I have the DVD of La Fille du Regiment with Florez and Patrizia Ciofi.  Both are great in this role, and the production is interesting.  It is updated to the end of World War II, and the regiment is American, rather than French as in the original.  This does create some incongruities in the libretto, but it works anyway.



This is the performance that introduced me to Juan Diego Florez; I have since purchased most of his recital CDs.

Heather

This went down a storm at ROH but with Gens, who, almost, stole the show.

I think his nasally delivery may take a bit of time to get used to but once you do...

An opera-going colleague (she is married to an opera singer) told me that the voice will mature.

[Morigan]

I'd like to resurrect this old topic, simply because I'm totally in love (in a platonic way!) with Florez right now.

Have you heard his latest CD, arias for Rubini? To me, it confirmed that he is the greatest bel canto tenor who has ever recorded.

Also, I can't wait for the La fille du Régiment DVD to come out... hopefully DG will take care of that soon!!

[Maciek]

I share your enthusiasm (for the spectacular Rubini disc). I belive Lilas Pastia does too - but let's wait for him to show up (I believe he may be a bit tied up at the moment ).

[Lilas Pastia]

I heard that! .

Yes, I love Florez too. the sound of his voice is quite entrancing, and he uses it spectacularly well. Not a profound interpreter, but certainly a most perceptive and intelligent one. He lacks Pavarotti's debonair way of tossing up high Cs like confetti at a wedding, but he makes up for that by his adorable puppy looks (perceptible even with a pair of ears only) and the slight edge that keeps his voice from sounding sugary.

It's nice of Decca to give their new tenor star the full treatment. The (mostly little-known) music really benefits from the lavish treatment it gets here (chorus and very supportive conducting).

There's a nice Florez recital out there, from the 2006 Proms. Vocal items ar ebolded.

Rossini: The Barber of Seville, overture   7'
Rossini : 'Cessa di più resistere' from The Barber of Seville   8'
Donizetti: 'Una furtiva lagrima' from The Elixir of Love   5'
Granados: Intermezzo from Goyescas   7'
Donizetti: 'Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête' from The Daughter of the Regiment   6'
Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain   25'
Menéndez :Aquellos ojos verdes   4'
Monge :México lindo   4'
Falla :Three Dances from The Three Cornered Hat   13'
Gardel : El día que me quieras   5'
Gardel :Júrame   4'
Chabrier:España   6'
Florez encore 5'

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor
Artur Pizarro, piano
BBC Concert Orchestra
Barry Wordsworth, conductor
BBC Promenade Concerts 2006 Season No. 15
Tuesday 25 July 2006, Royal Albert Hall, London