Juan Diego Florez - Sentimiento Latino (Lossless - APE) torrent

Juan Diego Florez - Sentimiento Latino
Lossless - APE

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor

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Peruvian Tenor Star Sings Latin Songs Straight From The Heart


Born in Lima, Peru, in 1973, tenor Juan Diego Flórez is one of today?s most celebrated opera stars, renowned for his dazzling way with the music known as bel canto. Flórez brings a connoisseur?s discernment to this programme of Latin American songs. Make no mistake: This most elegant of operatic artists lavishes upon these canciones the passion and authenticity of one who was, literally, to the manner born. His father, Rubén Flórez, had a fine career in Lima as an interpreter of popular songs, notably those of Chabuca Granda, the singer-songwriter known as ?the soul of Peru.? And Flórez?s earliest musical memories are of family songfests that went on into the wee hours of the night.

?I would sing a bolero that I learned from one of my father?s cassettes or that I heard my mother sing, or Peruvian music.?

In the past, he explains, ?the way popular music and opera were sung was more linked. Maybe pop musicians used more falsetto, but they had educated voices. Just listen to our Latin American singers like Carlos Gardel or Jorge Negrete [Mexico?s immortal ?charro cantor? (singing rancher)]. ?Negrete auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera!?.In the early and mid-twentieth century, when many of these songs were written, the line between classical and pop music was less sharply drawn than today. ?If you look back at the major tenors ? Caruso, Tito Schipa, Jussi Björling ? they all sang music from their roots. There was probably more ?crossover? than now,? Flórez points out. Past opera stars, including Alfredo Kraus and Flórez?s fellow Peruvian Luigi Alva, sang this programme?s songs with immense distinction.

Flórez personally arranged the four songs closest to his heart ?those from his native Peru: the traditional La jarra de oro (The golden jug), along with Chabuca Granda?s La flor de la canela (The cinnamon flower), Fina estampa (Fine figure), and Bello durmiente (Sleeping beauty). Flórez plays bongos on Fina estampa; the chaste setting of Bello durmiente is for voice and solo guitar.

Among the three Chabuca Granda songs, Bello durmiente is something of a rarity. ?The title implies that Peru has so much, is rich and beautiful, but doesn?t move forward because it?s asleep. But the song itself speaks about the beauty of the regions ? the jungle, the Andes, the coast ? and says that they are Peru?s lovers. The song is about Chabuca?s love for her country.?

Flórez speaks with awe of this passionate poet and musician. ?Chabuca cared so much for people, for her Lima. She cried out in many of her songs that Lima was being neglected, that traditions were being lost. She was a very strong and emotional woman.? Flórez himself shows considerable passion when evoking his country?s struggles with poverty and unemployment, and considerable joy when telling of being acknowledged on Lima?s streets as Peru?s musical ambassador to the world. ?We need to feel proud. With a nation like ours, in an economic crisis ? for us, the achievements of our fellow Peruvians represent hope.?

Deep as his love is for his homeland and its songs, Flórez ends the conversation with reflections on the importance of all Latin American music. For Flórez, the songs on this programme are much more than a light-hearted detour for a great opera star. In his view, they have enriched and, to a considerable extent, moulded his art and that of such admired colleagues as Plácido Domingo, Marcelo Álvarez, and Rolando Villazón.

?In opera, you have to be in control of the melody, of your voice. But if you can really let it flow, phrase it and shade it like a bolero, a tango? Latin American singers, they all have something of this. You can call it class, you can call it taste ? it comes from our music, from Latin American music.?



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TRACKLIST

01 Alma llanera
Pedro Elías Gutiérrez, arr. Ángel ?Cucco? Peña
02 Ella
José Alfredo Jiménez, arr. Peña
03 La flor de la canela
Chabuca Granda (María Isabel Granda Larco), arr. Juan Diego Flórez
04 El día que me quieras
Carlos Gardel & Alfredo Le Pera, arr. Albert Guinovart
05 Granada
Agustín Lara, arr. Guinovart
06 La jarra de oro
Trad., arr. Flórez
07 Princesita
José Padilla, arr. Guinovart
08 Júrame
María Grever, arr. Guinovart
09 Estrellita
Manuel María Ponce, arr. Guinovart
10 Fina estampa
Chabuca Granda & Eduardo Óscar Rovira, arr. Flórez
11 En mi viejo San Juan
Noel Estrada, arr. Peña
12 Siboney
Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Peña
13 Aquellos ojos verdes
Nilo Menéndez & Adolfo Utrera, arr. Peña
14 Bello durmiente
Chabuca Granda, arr. Flórez
15 México lindo
Chucho Monge (Jesús Monge Ramírez), arr. Peña