The Sydney Morning Herald, February 12, 2016

Barney Zwartz

NESSUN DORMA: THE PUCCINI ALBUM

Jonas Kaufmann is a great tenor at the height of his powers – one of the most complete singers I have encountered. His burnished baritonal voice has the power to sing Wagner and the flexibility and emotional expressiveness to sing Verdi and Puccini, with ardour and complete control. Intriguingly, Kaufmann includes at least one aria from all 12 Puccini operas except the all-female Suor Angelica. This means the biggest hits – Nessun Dorma from Turandot, Recondita Armonia from Tosca, O Soave Fanciulla from La Boheme and Addio, Fiorito Asil​ from Madama Butterfly – are mixed with many far more obscure arias, such as a ringing Torna ai Felici di from Le Villi. His ode to Florence in Gianni Schicchi is delightful. Kaufmann is accompanied with great relish and commitment by the chorus and orchestra of Santa Cecilia in Rome, conducted by Antonio Pappano. Soprano Kristine Opolais​, who partners him in four duets, is not quite up to his standard. Especially welcome are the unusually good notes, with Kaufmann commenting on each aria, and texts.