Greek National Opera has secured a September 13 recital from Jonas Kaufmann at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, ‘thanks to the sponsorship of Rolex’.
He will perform with with the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera, conducted by Jochen Rieder.
Truly classical.
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I’m pleased he’s getting out and about. Time will tell whether JK is a tenor for the ages. I often wonder how many people who negatively criticise him have heard him live. I can’t judge his singing as I’ve only heard him on recordings, which I have enjoyed.
I heard him life. He’s as great as on the recordings. Good actor too.
And more handsome than the law allows!! 🙂
Good question. I have never heard him life, but I bought several of his CDs over the years. And I hated every one of them. Lied, opera, recital – doesn’t matter, I never liked the voice, nor what he did with it. I kept buying the CDs bc I hoped that I would “get it” over time or that he improved (judged by my ears). Did not happen.
However, many people apparently think that he is beyond wonderful. So I wonder what it is that I am not getting, feeling, understanding. It is certainly possible that the fault is with me. On the other hand, I am not alone in not liking his singing.
Opinion is clearly divided in this case.
yes, it is all of the rest of us, not you.
I have heard him both live and on a number of different recordings. Not beyond wonderful, but very good in a variety of roles. Odd that you “kept buying the CDs” if you “never liked the voice”.
Why this aggressive tone? I said that it is entirely possible that I am lacking something. I never suggested that “all the rest” is wrong. And I kept buying CDs bc I know his stellar reputation and hoped that I might get it slowly. Didn’t happen, and I am truly sorry about it.
If you think that my reply was in an “aggressive tone” then you need to seek out your comfort animal and relax. No harm meant – I was just pointing out your obvious JK bias and that your actions at continuing to acquire JK CDs were “odd”.
Reminds me of the Woody Allen joke: “The food is terrible – and the portions are so small”!!
I feel the same with Pavarotti…..NOTHING!
This must be one of his routine concoctions of operatic hits, conducted by buddy J. Rieder. Completely unserious . Not recommended.
Well, Pavarotti’s style concerts. But not quite, since he has a much wider and difficult repertoire for the more serious concerts.
This ”much wider and difficult repertoire” sounds often underprepared because of the mediocre conductor and/or because of the very few rehearsals. And the tenor performs on automatic pilot. But it is okay as long as people do not notice / do not care.
I think he can improve significantly when he works with brilliant , more artistically defined partners who challenge him in a constructive way and do not allow him to control the whole game . Anyway, not the ”pet”/”personal assistant”/”valet”/”buddy” kind of collaborators.
I care! And I love him. I have seen him live both in the Opera House and in concert. He is wonderful. Charismatic on stage. In concerts he is beguiling and charming. Not perfect but who wants perfect – that would be boring. He is a brilliant performer and worthy of his “star” status.
Kaufmann is ever more the circus horse. Pity, that. Like the Netrebko circus in Salzburg, where her Tosca was at best average. What goes up must come down – often to farce level (Domingo today).
I personally do not put JK in the same league as Domingo or Pavarotti in their younger, peak years (yes, before you slam that comment: I’ve seen them all live numerous times).
Is there anybody Rolex can’t buy?
I love JK and yes have heard the others
My Partner at at the time cried at Domingo and he was an unemotional English man