Andina

Peru's Juan Diego Florez to perform at Pan American Games opening ceremony

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

13:57 | Lima, Jul. 9.

Lima 2019 has announced that celebrated Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez will perform at the Pan American Games opening ceremony next July 26 at the National Stadium in Lima.

"Dear compatriots and brotherly peoples from the Americas. I am Juan Diego Florez, a Peruvian opera singer, and I would like to tell you I will have the honor to perform at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games opening ceremony," the acclaimed tenor said, confirming his participation at the event.

"I am very excited and happy to be able to see you at the sporting event that will bring all countries in the Americas together. See you on July 26 because at Lima 2019, let's all play!" he added.

Juan Diego Florez was born in Lima on 13 January 1973. His father, Ruben Florez, was a Peruvian music singer, who specialized in vals criollo (Creole waltz) songs, mainly those of famous composer Chabuca Granda. Juan Diego inherited both his father's vocal talent and his love for Peruvian and Latin American music. 

His mother, Maria Teresa, another Creole waltz lover, was the driving force behind him, encouraging him to persevere with his musical studies and stick to his goals.

Keen to travel and to continue his education, Juan Diego earned a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He studied there between 1993 and 1996, and had the opportunity to sing in a number of fully staged complete operas, with an orchestra, an excellent foundation for what was to turn out to be a spectacular career.

Florez stays close to his country roots. Therefore, in 2007, he was decorated with the Peruvian Order of the Sun in the rank of Great Cross, the highest decoration from the Peruvian government.

In 2014, he received the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award, which honors artists who not only excel in their art, but also help to improve the world around them.

The Pan American Games opening ceremony —to be produced by a Peruvian creative team in partnership with Balich Worldwide Shows— will see national and international stars like Despacito's singer Luis Fonsi.

(END) NDP/RES/RMB/MVB

Published: 7/9/2019