My latest package of CDs to review has turned up quite a treasure: a young German tenor named Jonas Kaufmann singing Strauss songs, accompanied by the matchless Helmut Deutsch. I hadn't come across Kaufmann before, but the focus and fibre of his voice knocked me off my chair in the very first phrase of 'Zueignung'. Next, he seems to sing Strauss from the inside, with attention to every word. And thirdly, the voice is very powerful indeed - apparently he has sung Parsifal and one wonders whether he'll be a fabulous Siegmund or Tristan in years to come.
Some internet research revealed that he received a great deal of attention here three years ago at the Edinburgh Festival and he'll be back there on 24 August. And he's just made his debut at the Met in NY. I hope that The Guardian didn't do him too much damage, bless its cotton socks, by entitling its 2003 interview 'I don't mind my sexy image' - most singers don't get far these days without one (and yes, anyone looking for a pin-up won't be disappointed). But Strauss has provided him with his most consistently good reviews so far and if this disc is anything to go by, that's not surprising. It will be out soon on the harmonia mundi label.
7 comments:
He was wonderful alongside Angela Gheorghiu in La Rondine eighteen months ago. He cancelled a recital at Wigmore a couple of weeks ago. He's in the A cast for Carmen in December. He's also cancelled Proms appearances two years running. He comes over well on stage, easy on the eye etc. He's about my age (late 30s) so I wouldn't call him young.
All these cancellations don't sound so impressive.
If he is in his late thirties, he is still very much young.
Beate (slightly beyond that and still young)
Oh YES! I have just twigged, NOW, Gert, that you mentioned Carmen at the ROH in December, & as it happens I've already got tickets. Let's see whether or not this particular pudding contains any yummy proof.
The London Times just reviewed Jonas Kaufmann's Strauss Cd as classical cd of the week an gave it 5 stars. Can't wait to get it, the German release is scheduled for July 21.
Jonas Kaufmann was born in München in 1969. He is no newcomer, no publicity made artist, but a has worked to the top over the past 12 years. He is scheduled to sing at the ROH, the Met, Paris, La Scala and of course Zürich where he lives with his family.
In my opinion (and many others) he has everything a great singers needs, beautiful voice, perfect diction and phrasing and is a fantastic actor as well, not to talk about his looks :-).Besides of this any of his recitals is outstanding. I had the chance to talk a few words with him lately and he seems to be a very kind person as well. I saw him live so far only in Bartered Bride in Frankfurt, but there are several DVDs, commercial live recordings and other live recordings available. He is also singing a wonderful Hüon in the Philips studio release of Oberon.
After all that rave I have to say that I'm just a fan and not his agent or promoter :-). My schedule is full of Jonas Kaufmann performances for the next season starting with his recital in Edinburgh. I hope that his Stolzing debut at Usher Hall a week later will be broadcasted just like the wonderful Freischütz 2 years ago.
Marion
I am glad to say he has never cancelled in Edinburgh where over the last four or five years he has sung lieder( Schone Mullerin,Winterreise,Dichterliebe) opera in concert( Freischutz,Capriccio),and concerts(Das Lied von der Erde).I have also been lucky enough to see him at the Zurich Opera (Fidelio,Parsifal,Zauberflote,Poppea).To paraphrase Stravinsky on hearing Bernstein conduct The Rite of Spring(I think)...wow!This man is something else.Dont miss his recital in Edinburgh in August or his Meistersinger( which has a pretty impressive cast all round).
Just wondering if Barry has some private recordings ;-). If so, please get in touch with me (marion@carrerascaptures.de)
I saw Kaufmann for the first time in his Met debut - WOW! What a treat. He's also very nice in person. Since I live in Germany, I hope to see him sing more often, although he doesn't seem to have a website with his calendar, so it's a bit of a detective hunt. Of what I have seen, he has a pretty impressive lineup this upcoming season.
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