Sentimiento Latino

This is Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez's first non-classical CD. He brings to the popular music of Latin America and Spain the same scrupulous musicianship, bright tone, and charm with which he approaches Donizetti and Rossini. Some of these songs are accompanied by full orchestra and some (such as "Ella" and "Mexico lindo y querido," for example) are with a shiny mariachi band, while a couple ("Fina stampa," "Bello Durmiente") have solo guitar as their backup. Florez has plenty of opportunity to show off his high notes--there are brilliant high Cs here and there--and his perfect vocal placement and portamento are most welcome. "Jurame," a sensual tango, is a fine example. While he can sing softly at times, Florez doesn't do quite enough with dynamics. A bit more variation would have been welcome, but he's very much in the spirit of this music. His "Granada" is stunning, and he gets the idiom of the "lounge music" numbers as well. His fans, and fans of music with this Latino tinge, will not be disappointed. --Robert Levine Amazon.com

Beautiful young and new voice in the world of opera singers

It is indeed a pleasure to listen to Juan Diego Florez a young singer from Peru. It is like now that we no longer have Pavaroti, we can enjoy this new, and vibrant tenor voice. I purchased his new CD in Spanish, but he already have beautiful music for opera. Highly recommended for music lovers. May 29, 2008

The best tenor performing the most beautiful hispanic music

I first saw Juan Diego Florez at the New York Metropolitan Opera performing the role of Count Almaviva in Rossini's "Barber of Seville". His powerful voice was very elegant and clean. He is a master of Bel Canto operas and arias; one of a kind.

Saying that, it is always risky for a tenor to leave the classical stage and attempt to record popular folk music because the reaction of the public is always varied. When Placido Domingo recorded "100 years of Mariachi" many liked it, but not everyone.

With "Sentimiento Latino" Juan Diego does a tremendous singing job. First of all, the music selection is a great tribute to Hispanic music inspired from the classic boleros, rancheras, tangos, etc. From "Ella" by Jose Alfredo Jimenez, "El dia que me quieras" by Carlos Gardel, "Granada" by Agustin Lara, and "Alma Llanera" by Pedro Elias Gutierrez, among others, this CD offers a fantastic repertoire.

From his native Peru he included "La Flor de la Canela" and "Fina Estampa"

When he reaches "Jurame" by Maria Grever he confirms his greatness as a tenor easily reaching high notes and always full of that "Sentimiento Latino".

Finishing with "Mexico Lindo y Querido", it could be hard to compare to Jorge Negrete but he does a superb job. The orchestra and mariachi arrangements are top class. This CD could easily become one of your favorites. April 14, 2008

JUAN DIEGO FLOREZ---SENTIMIENTO LATINO

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS ARTIST TO ANYONE WHO TRULY LOVES A LYRIC TENOR AT HIS BEST--MR FLOREZ WILL BE AS GREAT ONE DAY AS PAVAROTTI AND THAT HAS BEEN TOLD BY PAVAROTTI HIMSELF ON A RECENT DOCUMENTARY PRIOR TO HIS DEATH...JUAN FLOREZ IS NOT ONLY GREAT IN OPERA BUT FROM HIS NATIVE LIMA, PERU, SINGS HIS MOST FAVOURITE SONGS WITH SUCH PASSION THAT IT IS HARD, WHEN YOU DISCOVER SUCH A VOICE, NOT TO BE A FAN FOR ALL OF HIS FUTURE ACHIEVEMENTS...I JUST LOVED THIS DVD AS I LOVED BOTH HIS OPERAS AND OTHER DVD'S TO HIS CREDIT...SOPHIE September 29, 2007

Four stars for this great young tenor. One star less for the byproduct

When I learnt about this CD I could not avoid to think of those infamous Placido Domingo's recordings singing tangos and boleros with a melodramatic tenor voice. However Juan Diego Florez's CD is a fresh approach to LatinAmerican music with the beauty of his young voice but without a trace of operatic affectation (in spite of the fact that he is a great opera singer).
I have to admit that I did not particularly liked the orchestral arrangements nor the idea behind great tenors singing popular music. However it is important to remember that JDF first approach to the art of singing was in his mother's live music pub in Lima. Once in a while he used to work as a replacement singer in the pub and, as he recalled about those days: "It was a tremendous experience for me, since most of those who were regulars at the pub were of a certain age, so I had to be ready to sing anything from huaynos to Elvis Presley music and, in my mind, that served me a great deal because, in the final analysis, any music that is well structured - whether it is jazz, opera, or pop - is good music".
Being a Venezuelan myself I felt a bit upset with the modern approach to Alma Llanera which is the main aria from a "zarzuela" composed in the mid fourties that became Venezuelan second anthem. However he sings it in an impecable way. I liked him in "El dia que me quieras". He is not Gardel though but, thanks God, he is not Placido Domingo either (PD also sings this song in his late 70's tango recording).

Finally I would like to say few words about the comments of this Nicolas guy from Argentina. It is obvious he did not like the CD but I wonder why he has to use insults like "imbecil" , "clown" and "stupid" refering to this great peruvian singer? I do not paid any respect to such comments but I think that Amazon should have a "report abuse" policy for these situations. I just wonder if Mr. Nicolas has listened JDF singing Donizetti or Rossini's operas? Nobody who has had the pleasure of listening this young tenor singing coloratura arias would have the nerve of referring to him in the terms this guy from Argentina does.
September 16, 2007

Sentimiento Latino

Juan Diego is a great tenor. However, this folkloric music is not the same with an orchestra instead of the original instruments. August 23, 2007

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