Juan Diego Flórez to make HK Phil debut with October opera gala
Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez will perform with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time in October, presenting a bel canto opera gala in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The concerts also mark the HK Phil debut of conductor Michele Spotti.
Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez will make his debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra this month, bringing his celebrated bel canto artistry to audiences in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
Rolex Proudly Presents: Juan Diego Flórez Opera Gala will take place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on October 22, before Flórez travels with the orchestra to Guangzhou for a second performance at Xinghai Concert Hall on October 24.
Flórez has long been regarded as one of opera’s leading tenors, appearing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala and the Royal Opera House. Known in particular for the agility, brightness and elegance of his voice, he has built an international reputation through works closely associated with the bel canto tradition.
For his first collaboration with the HK Phil, Flórez will perform a selection of arias by Rossini, Donizetti, Massenet and Verdi, offering a program that moves between vocal virtuosity and lyrical drama.
The concerts will also mark the HK Phil debut of conductor Michele Spotti, musical director of the Marseille Opera House and Philharmonic Orchestra. Together, Spotti, Flórez and the orchestra will present the same program in both cities.
Flórez has been a Rolex Testimonee since 2015, joining a roster of artists supported by the Swiss watchmaker across music and the performing arts. Beyond the opera stage, he is the founder of Sinfonía por el Perú, a social initiative that uses music education to support young people from underserved communities in his native Peru.
The Hong Kong performance begins at 7.30pm on October 22, while the Guangzhou concert will follow at 8pm on October 24.