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Limelight, Oct 16, 2013 |
By Clive Paget, Hallam Fulcher |
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The 12 Greatest Wagner Singers of All Time
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Ausschnitt: |
5. Jonas Kaufmann
German tenor Jonas Kaufmann (born
1969) is one of the world’s most sought-after singers. A student of James
King, Hans Hotter and Michael Rhodes, he began his professional career at
Staatstheater Saarbrücken in 1994 and soon after made his debut at the
Stuttgart Opera and Hamburg State Opera, as well as internationally at the
Opéra National de Paris, La Scala and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Kaufmann sensibly took his time moving from lighter to more taxing
repertoire and first tackled a Wagnerian role in 2006, singing Parsifal at
the Zurich Opera. In 2007, his portrayal of Siegmund in Wagner’s Die Walküre
at the Metropolitan Opera directed by Robert Lepage garnered critical
acclaim for his effortless projection and convincing acting, as did his
performances in the title role in Lohengrin in Munich.
In 2010
Kaufmann made his debut at the Baytruth Festival singing Lohengrin. In 2011
he returned to the Metropolitan Opera as Siegmund and again in 2013 for his
first appearance as Parsifal, conducted by Daniel Barenboim.
A
prolific recording artist, Jonas Kaufmann’s Universal Classics discography
is particularly distinguished, with his recent CD release of Wagner Arias on
Decca Classics a 2013 bestseller. Of his Siegmund, Limelight's reviewer
observed: "This is Kaufmann’s first all-Wagner disc and it’s a thrilling
experience. He starts with Die Walküre, but instead of Winterstürme he opts
for Siegmund’s far more interesting sword monologue. In six glorious
minutes, Kaufmann runs the gamut from resolute hero to romantic dreamer and
back. Listen to how he caresses Ein Weib sah’ ich, wonnig und hehr, or how
he comes elegantly off the voice for Ist es der blick der blühenden Frau.
Time and again he builds the perfect climax with grace and passion... In
short, this is superb. I can’t think of a finer Wagner recital – ever."
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