Just in: Jonas Kaufmann in major career move

The German tenor has been appointed intendant of Austria’s Erl Festival, taking over a year from now.

Kaufmann, who is turning 54, may be planning a post-singing career. His initial contract with Erl runs to 2030. He says: ‘it’s an additional career, not an alternative.’

Kaufmann takes over from the Frankfurt intendant Bernhard Loebe, who stabilised the Tyrolean Erl festival after a period of turbulence when singers complained of harassment and unpaid fees.

Kaufmann immediately criticised Loebe for not identifying strongly enough with Erl.

I am happy to share that I have been named Intendant of the Tiroler Festspiele Erl. I look forward to adding this new creative outlet to my continuing work as a performer, starting on September 1st, 2024. pic.twitter.com/vZfdNnFhis

— Jonas Kaufmann (@tenorkaufmann) June 2, 2023