Jonas Kaufmann: Managing other people’s cancellations
OperaThe numbers are in at the Erl winter festival in Tyrol and the backers are happy.
When the curtain dropped last night, 94 percent of tickets had been sold, more than ever before. What counted even more was that artistic director Kaufmann was able to summon world-famous jump-ins when his original cast started coughing. When Kaufmann called, Jessica Pratt, Lisette Oropesa and Levy Sekgapane got on a plane to a palce they may never have heard of before.
This is Kaufmann’s new career: managing other people’s cancellations.
Also credited at curtain fall for the festival’s success was the Israeli chief conductor Asher Fisch (pic).
But there’s nothing against doing something that you’re an expert in.
Being the perfectionist that he is, it was obvious from the very beginning that his directorship in Erl would become the ultimate success. Sincere congratulations! But let’s hope that he does not cut short his opera performances too much because of it. His voice is NOW at the utmost peak of maturity and perfection and we NOW need him on the world’s opera stages – as long as he is in top shape.
New year, new vacancies…
Chief Cancellation Manager:in (m/w/d)
Chief Cancellation Officer:in (m/w/d)
Assistant Cancellation Manager:in (m/w/d)
Good grief, there is no reason to worry about this. It is only a matter of time until Mrs. Kaufmann takes over the place anyway. Her expertise and voice commands towards staff and visitors have already been heard loudly all over the place. It’s all one, same employer anyway. Not sure if she has the super power to manage cancellations though.
Pretty sure this star-studded lineup for Erl Tirol had less to do with Kaufmann and more to do with the legendary casting wizard Ilias Tzempetonidis—who probably has every major singer on speed dial and a few on WhatsApp!
Kaufmann should follow Domingo’s footsteps to manage a major opera company. He will do great.
It beats listening to him sing. He has the iciest tone I’ve ever heard. Let’s hope one day he replaces Peter Gelb at the Met.
Kaufmann — cancellations: das klingt!