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
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
I wouldn't be me if my repertoire wasn't bel canto. Juan Diego Florez belcantorepertoire 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
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
Sometimes at my performances, I see Peruvian flags in the audience. I've never seen, when an Italian sings, people with Italian flags. But with Peru, it's different: because there are not many famous people, they really celebrate the ones they have. Juan Diego Florez audiencecelebratefamous 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'm lucky because my repertoire is so specific, and theaters are interested in me singing my repertoire because it is not done so much. I'm pretty well settled in my repertoire. I like what I sing. My voice is high, and there is not much in baroque opera for higher tenor. Juan Diego Florez baroquehighinterest share on social
Yes, I wrote songs. I was becoming kind of an Enrique Iglesias kind of a singer, with those ballads and cheesy romantic things. Juan Diego Florez balladcheesyenrique 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