Customer Reviews
Florez sings arias 
2008-06-01
I have been thrilled seeing Florez in operas, his voice is powerful and pure; his acting ability is unmatchable. But his CD's are produced very purely. He sings too loud, it is not pleasing to the ear. I have seen audiences move Florez to tears with ovations; he is amazing. But the people who produced this CD apparently did not listen to it before selling it to the public. I found it offensive.
Florez sings Arias written for Rubini 
2008-05-31
I like this CD a lot. These are not all very familiar arias, but they are all from Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini operas.
Florez has a magnificent voice, although I'm not always sure about his intonation or that of the backup chorus. Overall it's a treat.
Pavoratti's Replacement 
2008-05-27
This tenor is really exciting to listen to. He makes it sound so easy and effortless. He flows up to the top notes and doesn't slam them. The CD is a fitting tribute to Rubini. Worth the purchase. Mark
Good voice 2008-04-14
The Tenor from Peru is one of the best tenors in the world at this time;I feel that the selection of arias, could have been a lot better.I do recommend that when you see the name Juan Diego Flores, you pay a lot of attention.
By now, a known quantity 2008-04-12
After flirting with other repertoire and recording a crossover disc or two, the reigning Rossini tenor Juan Diego Florez returns to what he does best on this album: the florid, high-lying music of early nineteenth-century bel canto opera. The concept here is to evoke comparison with Giovanni Rubini, the tenor for whom this music was written, and it's hard to believe that Florez' predecessor was more facile or could negotiate the numerous coloratura runs with greater accuracy and ease. Florez doesn't actually go as high as Rubini was reputed to have done (high F)--he touches one E-flat above high C, but otherwise reaches "only" high D. On the other hand, he sings his high notes in full voice, something Rubini would not have done.
For fans who know what Florez is all about and have enjoyed his live performances (and I certainly am one) this album will certainly confirm their high opinion. The tenor's voice seems to have grown in size, and occasionally there is a hint of unsteadiness in sustained notes--perhaps fatigue due to his frantic international career? As I have noted before, with vocal gifts of such magnitude it seems almost churlish to wish occasionally for more differentiation of character or vocal color, since all of the music is so much of a piece. Did contemporary audiences demand the vocal acting abilities of a Callas from Rubini? My guess is not. Let's wish Florez a long career and continued vocal health--he's certainly become an indispensable fixture on the international operatic scene.
FOOTNOTE: As is the case so often with the bel canto composers, a listener can amuse him/herself by identifying music in the more obscure operas that was later re-used to greater fame. There's a big chunk of "Norma" in one of the tracks, for example.
Amazing technique!!! 
2008-04-08
Juan Diego Flórez is THE tenor for bel canto operas, the first choice for any new production at the world's greatest opera houses. Flórez recently performed the first aria encore at La Scala in 74 years. On Voce d'Italia, he pays tribute to an extraordinary predecessor who inspired some of his greatest stage roles and became the first `superstar tenor': Giovanni Battista Rubini. Like Flórez today, Rubini was loved as much for the touching pathos of his slow singing as for the thrilling power of his fast, high roulades. Roles the two singers have shared include the Prince in Rossini's La Cenerentola, Elvino in Bellini's La sonnambula, Arturo in Bellini's I puritani, Uberto in Rossini's La donna del lago, and the title role of Rossini's Otello. Many of the arias by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti on this new recording with the Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome under Roberto Abbado, are unknown gems which show the tremendous range of Flórez's vocal and dramatic art. Flórez thrillingly tosses off those high Cs which have brought him so much fame, and ventures further into the stratosphere with a few high Ds and his first high E-flat on record.
voice of the century 2008-04-01
Juan Diego Florez has a beautiful "silver ping" to his voice. He seems to be effortless in his handling of the coloratura passages.
Florez is Florez - brilliance that latched on itself. 2008-03-13
JDF is better than ever technically in this album. The tracks are difficult stuff, and he even sings that huge trunk of 'William Tell' arias that hitherto only Pavarotti dared to assume.
It is now pretty settled that Florez is a class on his own - his Rossini, Donizetti, even Bellini, significantly surpassed Ernesto Palacio.
Even so, he remains pretty much 'himself' in whatever he undertakes. That is fine if you consider all the pros that this wonderful tenor possesses - brilliant technique, unusally good voice, and even over-whelmingly stellar stage presence. He virtually has them all. What remains for the ever craving audience is a big 'break' from all his good usual self.
An artist of top calibre never ceases to excel himself. With his virtually flawless singing, the only thing perhaps that JDF would want to conquer is his characterisation. Probably he would need to get a break from all his former 'beautiful' self - in tone, in portrayal, in looks, in virtually every sense, in order to develop a totally soulful, dynamic and multi-faceted performance style.
Wonderful! Fast delivery! Exactly what I ordered, I love it! 2008-03-01
I was very pleased, as I always have been, with Amazon's service. My purchase was very smooth and easy, the product came quickly, and it was just what I had ordered in perfect condition. Thanks!
Wonderful 2008-02-29
Florez is my current Tenor hero - he sounds wonderful, expresive, exciting, and in full control. I look forward to hearing more of him as his career and artistry continue to grow.
