Trained as a singer, Florescu has directed Lake George Opera, located in Saratoga Springs, New York, since 1999. He previously directed Columbus (Ohio) Light Opera and ran the opera and musical theater program at Columbus's Capital University.

Florescu will assume his new post on May 1, but he will assist Lake George Opera with its summer season. "I'm not keeping both jobs, but I will help them through the transition," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The Florentine has been very flexible about that."

Florescu decided to change jobs in part because of the ethos at Florentine Opera, he told the Journal Sentinel. "In many companies, your administrative staff and the artistic people live in different worlds. At the Florentine, everyone buys into the product."