Tenor Juan Diego Flórez is joining the Sony Classical label, after 15 years signed to Decca Classics. Though no details have been announced by Sony of the first disc, the relese date is given as autumn 2017.

‘Recordings are such a different means of expression for an opera singer,’ said Flórez, reflecting on his new record contract. ‘Musically, they allow you to explore and try new and exciting things, such as new colours and ways of interpretation. Working in the studio has fascinated me for a long time and I am full of new ideas I want to realize with Sony. I look forward to working with its team to bring great recordings to music lovers around the world.’

The Peruvian singer's recent Decca releases have included a number of recitals, including 'Italia' (a programme of Neapolitan and Italian songs) in 2015 and 'L'Amour' (French operatic repertoire) in 2014, while he can be seen on DVD in sets including Bellini’s I Puritani and Rossini’s Guillaume Tell (both Decca), as well as Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment on the Erato label, in which he stars alongside Natalie Dessay in a production that was a widely acclaimed hit. 

President of Sony Classical, Bogdan Roscic, said: ‘Seeing and hearing Juan Diego Flórez in full flight is one of the greatest experiences in today’s opera world. His personality, his immense musicality and the unmistakably individual sound of his voice have made him one of the few true superstars in the theatre but also beyond it. I look forward to working with him on adding exciting new recordings to what is already an outstanding discography.’

Among the other singers Flórez joins on the Sony Classical roster are tenor Jonas Kaufmann and the recently signed baritone Benjamin Appl.

(Video: Orphée et Eurydice - 'J'ai perdu mon Eurydice' (Juan Diego Flórez, The Royal Opera, 2015)