In Peru, there is no theatre that produces an annual opera season, and though there is one orchestra in Lima, it's always struggling to survive. We shouldn't have just one orchestra, we should have 15, we should have 50! And you should start to build this from the children. Juan Diego Florez annualbuildchild share on social
I didn't grow up with classical music. My father was a folk music singer. Juan Diego Florez classicalfatherfolk Change image and share on social
You are born with a voice. And in a way, you don't choose what you want to sing. It's the quality of your voice that matches a certain repertoire, and that's what you're going to sing. Juan Diego Florez bearchoosematch Change image and share on social
I grew up listening to popular music. My father was a Peruvian folk singer. He played the guitar at home. He sang songs with a waltzing rhythm, yet you can still hear the Spanish influences. I accompanied him to his performances. Juan Diego Florez accompanyfatherfolk share on social
Little by little, when I was doing auditions in New York, I discovered I was good. People there were enthusiastic. Juan Diego Florez auditiondiscoverenthusiastic Change image and share on social
With El Sistema, you can create orchestras everywhere; then they can decide whether they want to become professional musicians. The aim is not only to create musicians, but to create people. Juan Diego Florez aimcreatedecide Change image and share on social
Some people might hate someone who is successful, but in Peru, they love it! It makes them feel they can be successful, too. That's a good state of mind for a country that wants to come out of poverty. Juan Diego Florez countryfeelgood share on social
I don't think I am even the best I can be. I like to listen to other singers and learn from them, but I'm always working on myself, trying to improve, trying to be very tough with myself. Juan Diego Florez improvelearnlisten Change image and share on social
I don't push my voice; I try to keep a good technique, a natural way of singing, to sing from the breath, which is the main thing. Juan Diego Florez breathgoodmain Change image and share on social
I would love to bring the children from my foundation Sinfonia por el Peru to play with some of the best musicians in the world. Juan Diego Florez bringchildfoundation Change image and share on social
