The Rossini Opera Festival has appointed Juan Diego Flórez as its new artistic director, by recommendation of the Sovrintendente Ernesto Palacio. He will begin his tenure on Jan. 1, 2022.

The artistic relationship between the two Peruvians singers began in 1994 and their collaboration with the Rossini Opera Festival began in 1996 when Flórez debuted the role of Corradino in “Matilde di Shabran.” From there, Palacio became his mentor and manager. On August 22, the Rossini Opera Festival presented a gala honoring Flórez 25th anniversary with the organizatoin.

“I am very happy and honored with the new artistic adventure that this commission represents for me, above all because it is conferred on me by the Festival where I was artistically born when I was only 23 years old. I have a strong bond with the ROF and the city of Pesaro, and for my part I will do my best to reconcile my tenor career with this new and prestigious role in the best possible way. With the experience acquired in the world of opera, I will be able to help the Sovrintendente Palacio in the development of future programs and artistic options,” Flórez said in an official statement.

Palacio, who has been the Artistic Director of the ROF since 2016 and Sovrintendente since 2019, added, “My personal and work relationship with Juan Diego began in 1994. From that moment on, we have started a close artistic collaboration. Many times his suggestions and ideas have been very useful to me, that is why I proposed to him to assume this new position, while he continued his career as a singer. His contribution will be fundamental for this new page in the history of the ROF.”