“These four discs present Jonas Kaufmann in his vocal prime, invariably placing his glorious sound at the service of music and text. The result is a collection of illuminating performances from a uniquely thoughtful, dynamic, soul-stirring artist.” Roger Pines
Jonas Kaufmann signed to Decca in 2007, and this outstanding collection of four recital CDs was recorded from 2007–2013. During those six years, there has been nothing but raining superlatives for Kaufmann, from critics and public alike.
Jonas Kaufmann is renowned for his versatility, and this varied selection of 50 Arias showcases his vocal flexibility in style, genres and languages. Each of the recital discs matched Kaufmann with an eminent conductor particularly suited to the repertoire chosen: initially Marco Armiliato, followed by Claudio Abbado, Antonio Pappano, and Donald Runnicles.
Jonas Kaufmann’s first aria disc, ROMANTIC ARIAS (2008) was something of a calling card, featuring the tenor singing in three languages – Italian, French and German. The second disc of GERMAN ARIAS (2009) by Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven and Wagner finds Kaufmann exclusively in his native German repertoire, mixing the familiar with the rarely heard. The VERISMO album (2010) confirmed his arrival as a spinto tenor of world stature, and the fourth disc, simply entitled WAGNER (2013) fulfilled the persistent craving of audiences to hear more the reigning king of music by this career-defining composer: “Kaufmann seems ready for coronation as the reigning Wagnerian tenor of his generation.” Opera News, New York