Courier Post, South Jersey, USA, 13. April 2008

ROBERT BAXTER

Kaufmann displays his scale, impact on new Decca disc

German tenor Jonas Kaufmann covers the artistic spectrum in his Decca debut recital. Backed by Marco Armiliato and the Prague Philharmonic, the tenor ranges from Puccini and Verdi to Bizet, Massenet, Wagner and Weber in this outstanding release (475 9966 1/2). Kaufmann announces his talent in a thrilling performance of Rodolfo's aria from "La Boheme." His big, burnished voice rings out impressively. Kaufmann has more than a ringing high C. Singing expressively, he characterizes the aria with a wealth of dynamic shading and tonal coloring. Kaufmann impresses in demanding scenes from Weber's "Der Freischuetz" and Wagner's "Die Meistersinger." He also proves at home in the French repertory with fine performances of arias from "Manon" and "Faust." Kaufmann's virile tenor opens with impact in Faust's invocation of nature from Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust." Not all the singing is smooth or completely idiomatic. But Kaufmann is clearly a tenor whose voice has scale and impact.