Jonas Kaufmann: The Verdi Album

There were a few interesting releases in 2013 to celebrate the Verdi bicentenary, and this album is certainly one of them. Jonas Kaufmann is more used to singing the heavier German opera roles, and he has clearly thought through the changes needed for an authentic Verdi style. The results are thrilling. Kaufmann's singing is characterized by clarity of diction and a fine range of vocal colour, though it must be said that his plush, dark-toned voice is more suited to the heavier rather than the more lyrical roles. He is quite magnificent in the excerpts from Otello and Il Trovatore, though his interpretations of the lighter numbers (such as the Rigoletto aria) are not quite as successful. Nevertheless, there is some wonderful singing here. sonyclassical.com
Download Tracks: Di quella pira, Dio! mi potevi scagliar, Ah, la paterna mano