Breaking: Jonas Kaufmann cancels Elgar
mainThe German tenor has pulled out of two concerts of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Berlin next week ‘for health reasons’, the Staatsoper has announced.
He is to be replaced by the UK tenor Toby Spence.
The other soloists, on September 19 and 20, are Sarah Connolly and Thomas Hampson.
Barenboim conducts.
Health reasons? Hmm. Nothing at all to do with Decca issuing Barenboim’s Elgar series and Kaufmann not being happy with his former label?
Er, forgot to learn it? First looked at the score a week ago? Not enough follow-through opportunities/ recordings?
Quick mental calculation – then ditch.
Bit like arranging date with a girl who is attractive at the time… but when it comes to it, not quite attractive enough to demand the effort.
Oh dear.
A good news cancellation.
Would have been the totally wrong voice for Gerontius.
Or perhaps he actually pulled out for health reasons. Still Toby Spence is a good replacement for them. And a nice job for him.
Bit of irony, Toby Spence, his replacement, is a cancer survivor.
What a surprise!
One does wonder how long this sort of thing will continue if and when the UK leaves the single market. As things stand, Mr Spence can just get on a plane to Berlin, but what if he needs a work permit to take up an engagement there? No doubt German orchestras and opera houses will still go the trouble of getting permits for UK singers they really want to hear, but would there be time in a last-minute case like this?
I expect that the Musicians Union has been pressing for clarity here. Does anyone know if they have got any reassurances?
Presumably no reassurances are available, on the basis that not a single person knows what’s really going to happen, rather than what they hope will happen. But it’s looking more likely that travel to the EU from the UK become more difficult, so that will presumably include work permits. Not a good time for UK cultural exports.
Yes, I fear your pessimism will prove to be justified.
Of course, any arrangements that impede UK musicians from working in Europe are likely to impede continental musicians from working in the UK, so there may be more local opportunities. However, the overall effect on UK musicians would surely be negative, for there are so many more orchestras and opera houses on the continent than in the UK.
Ooo he was in Sao Palo, maybe he has Zika. Too bad.
Connolly has cancelled too…
Must be contagious.
Where did you hear that Connolly cancelled? No mention of it anywhere… Please don’t let this be true!
Toby Spence is already on the Staatskapelle programme but Sarah Connolly hasn’t been replaced (yet). Is this just a rumour?
Voilà : Catherine Wyn-Rogers for Sarah Connelly. Only one left is Thomas Hampson!
I also sometimes get sick of Elgar. He should be excused.
The last Berlin Gerontius was doomed by Stewart Skelton cancelling on the day of the concert, and having a very unsatisfactory replacement flown in last minute from the UK.
I heard that Anje Harteros is replacing Connelly!
Will she have to learn English? (see Bostridge debacle
This has not yet been announced.
Quite simply because it’s not the case!
Oh dear! Has Ms Moyer misheard? (Has Ms Harteros ever sung the Angel?)
Shirley some mistake?
Why should Anja Harteros ever sing the Angel in Gerontius? Being a soprano it would not make much sense and she definetely would not change her range and repertoire to jump in for Connolly who sang the Generalprobe this morning…
…correction! Catherine Wyn-Rogers is herer and replacing Sarah Connoly. Hampson ist the last man standing so far…
My teacher is replacing Sarah Connolly – Catherine Wyn-Rogers
Did none of you watch the Canto a Napoli live stream? If you had you would have had the painful experience of seeing & hearing Mr. Kaufmann’s voice deteriorate over the course of 5 songs. He taught a class in the morning (film before concert) in which he sang and was interviewed several times. In the evening following yet another interview, he sang 5 Neapolitan songs (from his new CD) without break. He complained of voice/throat problems and referred to having talked all day but kept going. The gradual deterioration was painful to watch for this loyal fan, but the heart with which he sang was amazing. Some will question the wisdom of decisions that day but none can deny his sincerity and generosity to his audience. He was definitely ill by the end.
We spent many hundreds of (British! ) pounds to get to Berlin, hotel, tickets at €115 each, for the Gerontius concert and the two major soloists cancel. Will certainly never again travel for Connolly or Kaufmann. We fell for it before when we travelled to Turin for Connolly in ‘Solomon’ – also replaced by Wyn Rogers! Good on you Askonas Holt …?!