Juan Diego Florez

Today we are going to talk about a successful Peruvian. He is our opera singer, Juan Diego
Florez.

About his Early years:

Juan Diego Florez was born in Lima on January 13th 1973. His father, Ruben Florez, was a
singer who specialized in performing the criollo waltzes of Peruvian composer Chabuca
Granda. His mother, Maria Teresa, another music-lover, gave him all the support in the
world, encouraging him to persevere in his musical studies and stick to his goals.

He was originally interested in popular music, like rock and pop. He wrote his own songs
and sang live in the piano bars frequented by his classmates in the Barranco. In 1989, the
young singer won Peru’s first Festival of Song for Peace.

Initially, intending to pursue a career in popular music,

he entered the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Lima at the age of 17. His classical
voice emerged in the course of his studies there. By the end of his first year at the
conservatory; Juan Diego Florez became a member of Peru's Coro Nacional,
which played a decisive part in his musical development.

He received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which

he attended from 1993 to 1996.

About his International career:

In 1994, Juan Diego met the celebrated Peruvian tenor Ernesto Palacio in Lima.
He offered to help the young man get started as a professional singer, and invited Juan
Diego to make a recording with him in Italy.

In 1996, at the age of 23, Juan Diego auditioned in Bologna for the Rossini Opera Festival
in Pesaro and was immediately chosen for a small role in Ricciardo e Zoraide. Florez is
famous for singing vertiginously high notes. Shortly before the Festival’s opening night, the
tenor had to stop participating because of illness. 

Juan Diego Florez has had the chance to meet Maestro Luciano Pavarotti, who played a
key role in his career. Florez has sung under the batons of several well-recognized artistic
directors.
During his professional career, Juan Diego Florez has received numerous awards from the
classical music world, including Premio Abbiati, Rossini d'Oro, the Premio Aureliano Pertile,
the Tamagno Prize, among others.

In 2007, he was decorated with the “Orden al Mérito” (Order of Merit) in the rank of “Gran
Cruz” (Great Cross), the highest decoration from the Peruvian government.

Juan Diego Florez has funded Sinfonía por el Perú, a social inclusion project for vulnerable
children and youth in his home country through music. He has the idea that music is a very
powerful tool for social change.

There are countless theaters in which Florez has performed. Juan Diego has
enjoyed great success at theaters such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Royal
Opera House in London, Vienna State Opera, etc.

On November 16, Juan Diego Florez was named as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador "in
recognition of his dedication to initiatives related to social inclusion and education".

Juan Diego Florez has received the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award, which
celebrate artists who not only excel in their art, but also help to improve the world around
them. Florez emphasized how "in an orchestra, in a chorus, children learn values that fill the
spirit and makes them better, better human beings, so they can by that transform society”.

Juan Diego Florez is an example of perseverance, hard-work and dedication. He said: “This
award is for all the young people who, like me, had a dream and
fought to make it come true, who overcame obstacles, fears, insecurities and fulfilled this
dream.”