DAVID MELLOR ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Juan Diego Flórez Bésame Mucho Sony, out now ★★★★★

This superb disc has some songs all of us will know: the title number, Bésame Mucho, for example, murdered over the years by a host of American crooners, sounds simply wonderful here, with Flórez, below, in fine voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Then there’s Guantanamera. How many of us can deny singing along drunkenly to its memorable chorus? And Aquarela do Brasil is an unfamiliar title hiding a catchy tune you will probably recognise.

Most of the other 15 songs on this 72-minute spectacular will be unknown to listeners. But there isn’t a single one I wouldn’t be pleased to hear again. Flórez is at the top of his profession. Lots of leading opera singers turn to crossover stuff with more interest in the money than the quality of their work. Not Flórez. This music is in the charming Peruvian’s blood. His father was a keen singer and regarded by one