Cultural significance and influences

Juan Diego has always maintained a close relationship with his native country.
Peru has awarded him its very highest distinction: the Order of the Sun, Grand Cross.

He also sponsors a foundation in Peru with the aim of encouraging the creation of children’s and youth orchestras and choirs on a national level. The project’s central aim is to help poor and vulnerable children and young people to avoid the many dangers they face in their day-to-day lives: drugs, delinquency, exploitation and prostitution.

Go to the foundation web site

His hobbies include football, tennis, cooking and composition. Juan Diego has written two pieces in the Peruvian genre known as the Huayno. The first is the Huayno Peruano Navideño, which was performed in the Vienna Konzerthaus in 2007 by the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir. The second, Santo, was written for the album of the same name in 2009.
 

Huayno Peruano Navideño

Santo is part of Juan Diego's CD "Santo", which contains sacred songs and arias. Santo is a composition by Juan Diego Florez, who has also orchestrated and arranged the song. It's sung in spanish and quechua and includes andean instruments.

Text:
Santo Señor Dios del universo.
Llenos están los cielos y la tierra de tu gloria
Samtom tukuy pachapa Apun.
Kusi qillpuykim llimparin kaypi, hanaq pachapipas.
Hosanna en el cielo.
Bendito es el que viene en nombre del Señor.
Haylli kachun hanaq pachapi, Perú Antisuyupipas.
Hosana en el las alturas y en los Andes del Perú.
Saminchasqam Diospa sutinpi hamuwanchik. Willkam!
Bendito es el que viene en nombre del Señor.
Amén