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Radio Times, 12 September 2015 |
By Alan Jackson |
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Meet the German singing Rule, Britannia at the Last Night of the Proms!
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Jonas Kaufmann, the world’s No 1 tenor, will shake things up at the
Albert Hall |
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Even in 2015, seven whole decades after the war ended, the fact that a
German tenor is to lead the Union Jack-waving faithful through Rule,
Britannia! at the Last Night of the Proms invokes a frisson of intrigue and
surprise.
“C’mon, it’s an old song but a great one and if they don’t
have a problem hiring a German to sing it, why should I have a problem
myself?” Bavarian superstar Jonas Kaufmann responds cheerfully. “I’ve never
performed it before. I’ll have to study hard in advance, of course; everyone
watching will know the words so much better than I do.”
And back in
his homeland, what have they made of the news that their famous son will
sing this nationalistic British anthem? “Disappointingly, no one seems to
have noticed so far,” he chuckles. “But transmission of the Proms extends
far beyond the Channel so I guess they’ll hear it when it happens. Let’s see
then what they have to say.”
In demand throughout the world and with
a schedule planned as far as six years ahead, Kaufmann now frequently
attracts the label “the world’s greatest tenor”. “It’s flattering, but I was
frightened the first time I was described that way,” he admits. “What seems
an honour can also quickly become a burden. For decades people have been
prophesying the end of opera so the arrival of any new star means fresh
hope. But it’s too much for one person to carry that flag on their own. And
anyway opera will never die. If we treat it carefully and don’t try at any
cost to drag it into the modern world, it’ll be just fine.”
It was as
a teenager on holiday in Norway that Kaufmann got his first taste of the
Last Night experience. “We switched the TV on and there was this cheering,
swaying crowd. I assumed it was a pop concert. But no, Pomp and Circumstance
was being played. How lovely to remove the crust of formality and tradition
and to see classical music being enjoyed for what it can be, just fantastic
entertainment. I’m extremely thrilled to finally be a part of it.”
Praised not just for the beauty and versatility of his singing voice but
also the strength of his acting, the 46-year-old father of three has been
hailed as the best tenor since Plácido Domingo — and his natural successor.
The two men are close and recently Kaufmann was asked to present his
friend with a lifetime achievement award. “I wrote the speech myself.
Afterwards he said to me with tears in his eyes, ‘Everything you just said
about me, I could so easily say about you too.’ So wrong. I have yet to earn
that reputation, that respect. But I think my voice is getting stronger,
richer. And I’m of an age where I’m growing towards some of the big male
operatic roles. In two years’ time and at the Royal Opera House I will do my
first Othello. Then in the years ahead I hope there’ll be some other tricky
parts to come, my first Tannhäuser and my first Tristan. In six years I’ll
be 52 and I think by then I’ll be about ready for them.”
Rule,
Britannia! aside, Kaufmann’s Proms programme has yet to be finalised. But
released this month is his new album of Puccini arias, so yes, he’ll be
performing Nessun dorma from Turandot. Could anything be more guaranteed to
bring the house down?
“Well, let’s hope they’ll like it,” he smiles.
“Even in a totally silent hall, you know if the audience is with you.
There’s a certain energy in the air that is palpable and inspires you. And
the Last Night crowds are anything but silent so it should be quite an
experience.”
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