Juan Diego Florez - Sentimiento Latino (Lossless - APE)

Juan Diego Florez - Sentimiento Latino

Lossless - APE



Juan Diego Fl≤rez, 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 Fl≤rez is one of today?s most celebrated opera stars, renowned for his dazzling way with the music known as bel canto. Fl≤rez 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 Fl≤rez, 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 Fl≤rez?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,? Fl≤rez points out. Past opera stars, including Alfredo Kraus and Fl≤rez?s fellow Peruvian Luigi Alva, sang this programme?s songs with immense distinction.



Fl≤rez 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). Fl≤rez 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.?



Fl≤rez 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.? Fl≤rez 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, Fl≤rez ends the conversation with reflections on the importance of all Latin American music. For Fl≤rez, 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 Plβcido Domingo, Marcelo ┴lvarez, and Rolando Villaz≤n.



?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 Eløas Gutiérrez, arr. ┴ngel ?Cucco? Pe±a

02 Ella

José Alfredo Jiménez, arr. Pe±a

03 La flor de la canela

Chabuca Granda (Marøa Isabel Granda Larco), arr. Juan Diego Fl≤rez

04 El døa que me quieras

Carlos Gardel & Alfredo Le Pera, arr. Albert Guinovart

05 Granada

Agustøn Lara, arr. Guinovart

06 La jarra de oro

Trad., arr. Fl≤rez

07 Princesita

José Padilla, arr. Guinovart

08 J˙rame

Marøa Grever, arr. Guinovart

09 Estrellita

Manuel Marøa Ponce, arr. Guinovart

10 Fina estampa

Chabuca Granda & Eduardo ╙scar Rovira, arr. Fl≤rez

11 En mi viejo San Juan

Noel Estrada, arr. Pe±a

12 Siboney

Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Pe±a

13 Aquellos ojos verdes

Nilo Menéndez & Adolfo Utrera, arr. Pe±a

14 Bello durmiente

Chabuca Granda, arr. Fl≤rez

15 México lindo

Chucho Monge (Jes˙s Monge Ramørez), arr. Pe±a