Jonas Kaufmann impresses with his finely judged phrasing, psychological acuity and seductive swagger

Financial Times, September 22, 2017

by Richard Fairman

Bizet, Massenet, et al: L’Opéra — ‘burnished tone’

Jonas Kaufmann turns to French opera, and his duets from ‘Manon’ with Sonya Yoncheva are a highlight

A pattern has emerged which sees Jonas Kaufmann release a disc of operatic arias each autumn in time for the seasonal market. This year he turns to French opera, using his burnished tone to kindle the smouldering passions of Bizet’s Don José and Massenet’s Werther, alongside less familiar operas such as Le Roi d’Ys, Mignon, La Juive and Le Cid. A couple of duets from Massenet’s Manon, with Sonya Yoncheva, are a highlight. Stylish accompaniments come courtesy of the Bayerisches Staatsorchester under Bertrand De Billy. There is little not to like.