Internationally acclaimed Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has returned to Australian shores, kicking off a three-city tour at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on Saturday evening and bringing his mix of elegance, sincerity and unassuming persuasive power.

Demonstrating what a world-class artist he is, and how comfortable he is with his craft, Flórez lets the evening’s thoughtfully curated program unfold with a naturalness in which even the most demanding moments feel effortless.

In the vastness of Hamer Hall, only Flórez and pianist Vincenzo Scalera at the grand piano occupy the broad stage – a spareness heightened by an audience sadly at barely three-quarter capacity. Nevertheless, the duo quickly create a warmth and intimacy that bind the space and bridge the distance with ease.

Juan Diego Floréz. Photo © Melboune Recital Centre

The program begins with the pastoral calm of Le sylvain – a subtle salon gem from Rossini’s later Paris years, written in his retirement. Characterised by a mood of unmistakable pleading, it is well suited to Flórez’s diaphanous phrasing, unbroken legato and upper notes of luminous beauty.

Moving on to three Bellini...