Who's The Couple With President Florez And The First Lady?
Juan Diego Florez and his wife Julia Trappe (civil ceremony already performed, religious ceremony on April 5 in Lima's cathedral) pose with Peru's President, opera fan Alan Garcia and First Lady Pilar Nores.
(foto REUTERS/Oscar Farje/Government Palace/Handout)
The Peruvian First Lady is a MILF !
Posted by:coccodrillo | March 26, 2008 at 05:00 PM
What is a MILF?
Posted by:Marshie | March 26, 2008 at 06:02 PM
The American presidential candidates should follow the example of the Peruvian president and his taste in music. I'll vote for whichever candidate loves opera!
Posted by:Opera lover | March 26, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Oh OC, THANK YOU SOOOOOO Much for being a JDF fan and giving us all these beyond fabu photos! I love you !!!! Even if we would like to sweep the Trappster aside, we wish them all the happiness (wish it was ME)!!!
Posted by:Judith F | March 26, 2008 at 07:58 PM
MILF
1. Abbreviation of Moro Islamic Liberation Front, an organization in the Philippines seeking to establish an Islamic state on the island of Mindanao.
Or something else, according to Wiktionary.
Posted by:Sandy | March 26, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Seriously? What is a MILF? Hmm how to be delicate... can't be.
It's a Mom I'd Like To... be Friendly with... only... another word. It's used in reference to an attractive woman who has children, a woman you wouldn't mind getting, um, friendly with.
Someone help me here!
Posted by:Susan | March 27, 2008 at 02:23 AM
Has there ever been an overall opera "package" (voice, looks, acting ability, charm, "niceness", etc.) to equal Florez? I can't think of any. But I'm open to hear other opinions.
Posted by:chris | March 27, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Wonder what's in that enormous bag he's carrying. Shouldn't somebody of his importance have a flunky to carry stuff around for him? Or is this just another example of his modesty and down-to-earthness?
Posted by:chris | March 27, 2008 at 09:15 AM
that bag of tricks is full of high c's
Posted by:deadtenors | March 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Marshie, I had to look it up too. Wiktionary spelled it all out for those of us who lead sheltered lives.
Posted by:Sandy | March 27, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Chris - This will come as no surprise... I have to say that Nathan Gunn has that package... ahem what I mean is, he has the looks, charm, talent, niceness, voice, acting ability, beautiful eyes especially when they're looking into yours, hot body especially when his arm is around you jamming you into his side for a photo, singing and speaking voice like melting chocolate... Wait what are we talking about? I think my brain just left the room.
Posted by:Susan | March 27, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Susan and Chris- You're BOTH Right. While we're at it- how about Anna Netrebko's baby dad? Schott?
All I know is- opera ain't what it used to be!
Posted by:Judith F | March 27, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Susan: I suspect the fact that Gunn takes off his shirt has addled your sensibilities. Other than that I don't find any evidence that he is more than a very good jobbing baritone, certainly not the world's best. If Florez can be regarded as Pavarotti's successor or even improvement, whose successor would Gunn be? I can't think of any. But tastes vary. I say Florez outranks Gunn decidedly. Perhaps we could get some votes. People simply type either Florez or Gunn. (I hope this doesn't prove an overload for the blogsite. Of course we may not get any votes at all).
Posted by:chris | March 27, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Not to put Gunn down, exactly, but his reviews don't compare to the uniformly ecstatic ones for Florez. Here are some bits from some of his reviews (mainly recitals): "voice...somewhat constricted.." "He was good but nothing to write home about (singing Wolf and Brahms)" "...Gunn shared little more with the audience than the mechanics of singing...disappointing flippancy...". And where he sings is no match for Florez. Gunn is seen mainly on second rung stages: Seattle, Houston, Chicago, Brussels, Glyndeborne, Bayerische Staatsoper, etc., although it is true that he has been heard at the Met and Covent Garden. Never in Vienna, or La Scala as far as I can see.
Posted by:chris | March 27, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Not to rub it in, well..... maybe a little...how often has Gunn been asked to encore an aria in the middle of an opera in which he is singing? Much less at La Scala? Now I promise not to rub again for several days.
Posted by:chris | March 27, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I agree that no one can compare with Florez when it comes to singing... but we're talking about the whole package, right? I think Nathan has all of it, while Florez has the voice with enough of the other stuff thrown in.
Go ahead, rub it in as much as you want. I could just as easily hunt down bad reviews of JDF (although that might be hard) and great reviews of Nathan (which would be easy.) He sings regularly at the Met, Chicago, LA, Covent Garden...
They're very different, and I love them both. Please don't make me choose, lol!
Posted by:Susan | March 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM
You go girl, and get me a bad review of our JDF, if you can. Now just cause he hasn't taken his shirt off (a nail almost took it off for him once at the Met when his tunic got caught on it, but it was not intentional; he's above that kind of shameless display) that doesn't lessen his physical virtues at all. After all, has Gunn every jumped up on a table in one leap from just standing, while singing at the same time (as Florez did in the Barber)? Bet not.
Posted by:chris | March 28, 2008 at 12:08 AM
I don't want to find a bad review of Juan Diego! I love him as much as you do! I cried hysterically when he dropped out of Chicago since my ticket and trip were already paid for!!!!
I also happen to heart Nathan Gunn. Can't I have them both? :) Pretty puhleez?
Now now, Nathan does his fair share of physical stuff, like hanging from a ship thingee in while singing in Billy Budd. He does what the directors tell him to do... his physical virtues don't lessen his operatic ability.
Bottom line: They're not in competition with each other! They're very different! Different voice types, different singing style, different everything. Like I said before, please don't make me choose! Let me love them both! (it's like they're my children, except, um... not.)
Posted by:Susan | March 28, 2008 at 04:36 AM
chris and susan need to get a virtual room. i feel dirty watching
Posted by:deadtenors | March 28, 2008 at 05:34 AM
OK, Susan, a truce. After all one is a tenor, the other a baritone. Impossible to compare, right?
Posted by:chris | March 28, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Exactly! I must say that I do like the idea of a virtual room... if they can be there with us. ;)
Posted by:Susan | March 28, 2008 at 01:52 PM
I sooo love this blog! Now i know i'm not the only one drooling over these REALLY HOT opera guys!
JDF can melt you with his voice, but yeah- the rest of the package just gets you (or rather ME) all quivery! And, he can COOK!
I'm a total JDF groupie, but Nathan is pretty much of a singing hunk, too (even if he is not on the same artistic level as JDF.
Posted by:Judith F | March 28, 2008 at 08:09 PM