I have not heard Kaufmann live in opera but did hear him from the very back row of the Geneva Opera House in Schubert's Winterreise. Admittedly this is not the repertoire to show off sheer size of voice but even his pianissimi were audible and beautiful in a seat to which other voices have not successfully carried. His success in Wagner at the NY Met suggests he has no problem riding large orchestras, and he certainly has every other attribute we require of a great singer.
I have this disk and yes, it is excellent. One of THE best. Also have to say Kaufmann looked so much more normal and natural when he was paired with Decca. I don't know if this is shear coincidence. Sony seems to have done something quite crude and vulgar with his image. All this strangely fitting ultra-tight clothes. This recording was a peak time for this artist in my opinion. You can tell by his facial expressions - he's comfortable with himself and his life, and just normal, and it's felt in his singing too. Sadly something's different now.
@karifrid You obviously never heard or read his interviews. He is not a HELDENTENOR, at least not yet. He may be in 4-5 years. Loudness is NOT the most important thing - to him what the lyrics or libretto say is extremely important, in lied as well as in opera. He studies opera characters thoroughly, and expresses exactly what that person is feeling that moment; so he sings pp sometimes. That's why his character is so believable. Why don't you respect artistry, not the price of the ticket?
Warum sind die Interviews immer in englisch!? Ist unsere Sprache zu schwer für die Zuhörer? Andere Künstler sind da stolzer auf ihre Sprache! Man weiß doch, dass Herr Kaufmann vielsprachig ist. Es ist traurig! Es geht in dem Interview doch um deutsches Liedgut und deutsche Opern! Schade !!
@karifrid I think Decca should find other tenors....(Like me). I sound good in big halls (Not like Kaufman).I could hardly hear him..... (Still I like him in videos (close) . ) I am glad if I will be invited to sing in a consert with him.........
I like german people and think they are more "corteus" than for example english people....Germans are stricht and want what they pay for. I want what I pay for......Still I think Kaufman has a "small voice". .... I did NOT hear him well, when he sang in "Harpa" in Iceland. He "saved his voice" so much that I could hardly hear him.....I PAID FOR hearing the "World famous HELDEN tenor". He was hardly audible where I sat. (On second balcony).HE SOUNDED GOOD in the radio....(Mikrophones...)
Look! The reason, why you sound better and louder than Kaufmann is, that you have much more overtones than him. He is using a artficial voice, without having any overtones! Just stay in training, and one day Decca will come back to you! I'm sure! Never give up!
