Bésame Mucho

Songs by Carlos Brito, Andrés Soto, Juan Madera Castro, Simón Díaz, et al

Juan Diego Flórez (tenor), Jonathan Bolívar, Hugo Fernando Gonzáles, Carlos Ayala, Jairo Morales (guitar) Sony 19075822942 69:19 mins Superstar tenor Juan Diego Flórez has long been lighting up the international opera scene with his soaring voice and dazzling stage presence. This glorious album illuminates a very different side to the Peruvian tenor, with the singer returning to the music of his childhood in this appealing collection of Latin American songs. Flórez describes this personal rediscovery as first prompted by having children of his own, and he now regularly performs these songs as encores in recital: ‘they hit the audience like magic arrows’, he writes.

The album ranges freely across South and Central America, with songs from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico and, of course, Flórez’s native Peru. Flórez responds to this variety with sensitivity, bringing a rich array of vocal styles to the album, from the relaxed swing of Peruvian favourite El Tamalito to the heart-on-sleeve lament of the Mexican classic La Malagueña. Far from a gimmick, the album has a strong sense of integrity as evidenced by the careful choice of accompanying groups, which range from full Venezuelan joropo ensemble to Brazilian samba band, while the disc features four separate solo guitarists, each specialising in a different genre. This is an album packed with delights, produced and performed with great care, sensitivity and heart. Kate Wakeling PERFORMANCE ★★★★ RECORDING ★★★★