Jonas Kaufmann: confessions of a superstar and highlights from his most powerful arias

Meet top tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the San Carlo theater of Naples, Italy! This is where he performed Radamès in Verdi’s semi-staged “Aida”.
In an exclusive interview, the artist talks about his career, and how he has always been destined to become a singer. In addition, Kaufmann reveals some surprising tricks of the trade. Opera singers don’t just need talent and drive to succeed, he says, they also have to be completely unafraid when performing in front of an audience. Being a top-ranked singer is hard work, but incredibly rewarding. Jonas Kaufmann is not one to mince words: He speaks openly about strains in his career, trouble with his voice, his comeback, and when it’s time to retire.
Enjoy the riveting tales of a remarkable singer - and marvel at some of his finest moments!
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#JonasKaufmann #GiuseppeVerdi #Aida

[@m.sibyllejungbauer291]

Jonas ist ein STAR im wahrsten Sinnr des Wortes. Wunderbarer Gesang und keine Alueren, ein Mensch, der alles in seinem Gesang ausdruecken kann. 💐💐

[@blancabuffoniblancabuffoni4552]

I am a very, very old person and I am grateful for the joy of having been able to listen to the joyous songs of the 1930 operettas sung by Kaufmann. I did not care if it is technically not perfect, I only know that it made my days of quarantine happy !!!!!!!!

[@catherinecozzano2580]

Me too. I enjoyed listening to Jonas when I was locked down in Paris. I was just sorry his concerts in Paris were cancelled. Very sad. Let’s hope I can use my ticket in the near future. ❤️❤️❤️

[@yuenkoi]

I would prefer Corelli , Pavarotti etc. I seemed unable to appreciate Kaufman’s very muffled voice somehow. Wish I could.

[@maitearthur8183]

c'est juste une merveille !

[@bethfiori4708]

So viel Energie und Freude wenn er spricht!

[@jomurphy1654]

Such an insightful, graceful man - I hope I can catch one of his performances in the next ten years....!

[@liliacristinapohl4905]

Maravilloso escuchar a Jonas Kaufmann y sus magníficos personajes ..La fluidez de un repertorio Colosal ..Para mi el vive lo que interpreta y esa es su Grandeza..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💖🌹🌹

[@alicebui5285]

JK grand Artiste avec une tête bien faite !! ♥️♥️♥️

[@helendutton8743]

Well , He has never disappointed me. I have seen him many times. I cannot take my eyes off him. He has great charisma. That you didn't see this......... I am sorry for you. The first time I saw he he completely blew me away, that was Carmen ROH. He was outstanding and I have been following his career ever since.

[@tovehansen6613]

WHAT A VOICE WOW LOVE THIS SO GOOD WUNDEFULL TO HEAT 😊❤🎤🙏🏻FROM DENMARK 🇩🇰

[@jennyversace5353]

What a fantastic voice Jonas kaufman

[@elfikischel4904]

He's a Genie

[@m.sibyllejungbauer291]

Gott erhalte Jonas die Stimme und seine Ausdruckskraft denn wir wollen in seinem Vortrag versinken🌟❤️

[@elfikischel4904]

Durch tägliches Videoerleben bin ich immer mehr begeistert

[@lourdestorres177]

Thank you for posting this interesting interview.

[@asuntamanuele2493]

Gracias por compartir esta entrevista tan interesante y tan ìntima a la vez. Somos afortunados de ser sus contemporaneos. Me encantaron los momentos familiares. Dios le conceda por mucho tiempo esa magnifica voz y sencillez.

[@josecidasilva2178]

KAUFMANN BRILHANTE, poderosa voz. KAUFMANN esplêndida voz e performance perfeita. KAUFMANN voz extraordinária tanto falando como cantando e encantando em todos os gêneros musicais cantados. KAUFMANN fantástico. Mais sucessos para vc KAUFMANN. Tradução para o português do Brasil. Magnífica interpretação e performance perfeita. Parabéns pra vc maestro KAUFMANN.

[@marlenwronka1238]

😊1

[@helendutton8743]

I see the You tube detractors are out again here in force. Jonas Kaufmann is the best tenor today for many reasons. He has a different voice to ant other which stands him apart. He is supremely intelligent. A charming stage presence. A great artist. If you don't like him just keep quiet. Fortunately for him many many do. I think many who complain are jealous of his success. Just go away and drown in your sorrows!

[@Tadpoletofrogs]

I saw him twice live. Very disappointing. Voice was small and constricted. I gave him a second chance but both times were a waste of money. Everyone else, even the minor role singers had a bigger voice than he did. The sound is very pressed and throaty live. More than on recordings. I have heard better tenors. I should add he is very intelligent and a prolific singer. It is amazing how much he has done. He doesn't move me.

[@judithbereczky4114]

You must be very young and never heard the true artists of the Golden Age (about 1950 to 1990) like tenors Franco Corelli, Mario del Monaco, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Jussi Bjorling etc. Listen to them. Today the singers are there to get ovations, adoration and MONEY. I listen to my CD's, records, and KZbin with lots of these past singers. I have sympathy for Jonnas Kaufmann, he used to be very handsome (something happened to him since he doesn't look that good anymore), but I don't like his throaty voice. I don't know whether he a tenor or a baritone, but this is not a true tenor voice; it is not natural. Also, Kaufmann sings often with a microphone (like other contemporary singers) and I hate it. A true opera artist doesn't sing with a microphone.

[@blancabuffoniblancabuffoni4552]

Si Sra Judith yo también he escuchado a todos esos tenores; pero todos son tenores líricos, tenores lírico-ligero, tenores lírico-dramático.etc etc. Por lo que Ud dice creo que Ud no gusta de los otros distintos tipos de voz como la de Jonas Kaufmann que cantó en nuestro teatro sin necesitar micrófono. @@judithbereczky4114

[@greatcanio1529]

Don't offend peaple tenor kauffman is a nicelooking man but as tenor very mediocre quality. Very heavy, not ringing, no quality voice, he sings in all theatre only with microphone, if you like him good for you.

[@judithbereczky4114]

@@blancabuffoniblancabuffoni4552 I noted only a few great tenors (here is more: Carlo Bergonzi, Alfredo Kraus, Giuseppe Giacomini, Jose Carreras, Siegfried Jerusalem etc.) among which are all the tenor types, so I don't understand your point. According to you Kaufmann has a different type of tenor voice that nobody else has??? Yes, I think, he might be a baritone? Explain what you meant. Thank you.

[@carinfoce9641]

Thank you for the English subtitles! Great interview!

[@tinarider9945]

Kaufmann the most serious, professional, big worker, hard worker, always looking to improve his art, interpretation, voice. Talent is 10 % 90%is work, good managers and producers, marketing.. All respect to Star tenor Kaufmann and his family..

[@blancabuffoniblancabuffoni4552]

Thank you I think the same !!!!!!!

[@tinarider9945]

@@blancabuffoniblancabuffoni4552 ❤️

[@egometacsmedical]

Excellent interview, thank you DW Classical Music! Nice memories from Naples, I was there, too!

[@elfikischel4904]

Sehr ,sehr gut,danke

[@elfikischel4904]

Eben kommen mir sogar Freudentränen

[@aliciasarramida]

Beautiful interview, thanks for sharing ♥

[@povl]

Wunderbar, danke.

[@user-xm3uh2ek2j]

Милый солнечный Маэстро, совсем скоро юбилей! ♥️ Очень рада за предоставленный просмотр! ♥️

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@gabrielamarinalaperu]

gracias por compartir ; admiro al Sr Kafmann como cantante íntérprete y actor me parece hasta ahora la conjuncion perfecta, y a través de esta entrevista se puede vislumbrar un poquito del porqué gracias

[@taruguito]

Gracias DW por compartir esta entrevista! 👏👏👏🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱

[@taruguito]

Vielen danke DW!!

[@julialluchcortes5805]

No es mi idioma pero oírlo y ver cómo actúa como canta ylo expresivo que es es un gran espectaculo

[@eleos3206]

Обожаю ваше творчество, тонкая материя души звучит и вибрирует, создавая миры красоты...

[@juandediossantacruzmiranda8867]

Jonas Kaufmann the best Lohengrin I ever see . Vielen Dank ein Gruss aus Lima Peru

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Liebe Grüße zurück aus Berlin!

[@victorianichols2]

Fascinating interview.

[@rosagongorasanchez4633]

Guapisimo metiene enamorada

[@elfikischel4904]

WOW

[@navas325]

Sencillo humilde ási fue la entrevista

[@socorror3261]

Thank you 🙏 for bringing this wonderful Music to us!!!🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@wandas2260]

👍 👍 👍 Der Beste !!!

[@user-xm3uh2ek2j]

Никогда не интересуюсь личной жизнью, для меня главное голос! ♥️

[@wotan10950]

I have luckily seen him onstage whenever he comes to New York. GREAT artist, fantastic personality. If I have any criticism, it’s that the pianissimo sounds unsupported; not everyone can do the Caballe piano!

[@josepholeary3286]

Surely the most intelligent tenor of our time.

[@bethfiori4708]

Kaufmann and Carreras are exceptionally smart. Catch them singing together and be wowed.

[@catherinecozzano2580]

I totally agree with you when you criticize the lockdown of Opera Houses and theaters and many cultural places, when airplanes and trains are full of people sitting next to each other. Culture is what keeps people together and uplifted. Music is a wonderful consolation to hardships and sorrows. I was screwed to music and opera streamings during the lockdown, and it kept me alive. And I can’t wait to go back to live performances in theaters. But when will that be? Nobody knows. By the way, I have a question: why do you put your right hand against your ear when you do a recording? ❤️❤️

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Dear Catherine, as this is DW's channel and not Jonas Kaufman's, he's unlikely to see your comment and question. I can't speak for him, of course, but I know that a lot of singers cover one ear or cup a hand around it because it helps them hear their own voice better, especially when they're singing with an orchestra. Maybe that's why Jonas does it, too.

[@wotan10950]

@@DWClassicalMusic Of course that’s the reason! When pop singers record their vocals, they use earphones because they simply cannot hear their own voices. For classical singers, it is crucial to get precise intonation. If intonation is slightly off on the stage, most of the public will not notice. But on a recording played over and over, a lapse in intonation will really stick out. Thus many opera and concert singers will cup a hand to the ear, so as to hear themselves through a loud orchestra.

[@Adlerjunges83]

​@@DWClassicalMusicYes, I do the same when I perform with my church choir during service as I have to sit between the worship participants (the choir normally sings next to the organ - I can't get there).

[@ghyslainemongrainCochise]

Malheureusement rien compris cette fois...mais j’ai déjà entendu d’autres entrevues. Quel homme sympathique!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Pour l'interview de cette vidéo, nous avons créé des sous-titres en anglais. Vous pouvez faire traduire ces sous-titres en français par KZbin. Dans la vidéo, cliquez sur Paramètres en bas à droite, puis sur Sous-titres. Vous pouvez ensuite choisir le français comme langue. J'espère que vous pouvez maintenant lire cette intéressante interview dans leur langue.

[@ghyslainemongrainCochise]

@@DWClassicalMusic Merci à vous, c’est vraiment très gentil, mais j’ai un iPad, et je n’ai pu mettre les sous-titres. Pas très grave. Bonne journée du Québec!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

👍

[@ghyslainemongrainCochise]

@@DWClassicalMusic J’ai enfin les sous-titres en anglais!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

👍

[@rosagongorasanchez4633]

Guapísimo

[@bethfiori4708]

I love hearing sein Deutsch.

[@elisabethgrund-schneider4223]

In Kultur und Sprache aeussert sich die Seele des Menschen wie auch des Volkes.

[@resnonverba]

No full translation, no suscription. But is was a good video anyway. That Stimme (product of hard work) is a miracle in both color and beauty. And he matches his singing with his acting, only tenor that I remember wo can.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

We're glad you enjoyed the video. Did you turn on the KZbin subtitles? You can find them at the bottom of the video. Hope this helps!

[@marysegeay4365]

Interview très intéressante

[@maguinieva7478]

Por favor subtítulos en idioma ESPAÑOL. Gracias.

[@elfikischel4904]

Phantastisch

[@tovehansen6613]

❤love to hear 3:57 this in vidio oh what a wunderbar voice🙏🏻 so good 😊❤lady from Denmark🇩🇰

[@tovehansen6613]

THIS IS A GREAT VIDIO OF A GREAT TENOR🙏🏻 ALLWAYS LISSEN TO HIS VOICE 😊❤GOOD TOSE ❤🙏🏻from DENMARK 🇩🇰

[@antoniomarrone8978]

TERRA DE CEGO, CAOLHO É REI.

[@sreeharisunitha6818]

❤❤❤❤

[@otisreyes2360]

Traduzcan en español por favor. Queremos saber todo lo que el dice. Gracias

[@rivkalevy9431]

Not sure why only the questions were provided in English and not Jonas’ responses as well?? It would have been really nice to have had the full picture had there been full translation😚!Regardless, the interview is enjoyable and it is always wonderful to hear Jonas’ magnificent voice. Thank you for sharing.

[@alexwehl2731]

There are captions available that translate his replies into English. Top right of screen.

[@rivkalevy9431]

alex wehl Thank you so much for pointing this out. I did not know how to check for it, and It turned out the caption button was off🙀! What a pleasure to watch the video now. I definitely learnt something new from this. Thanks again for your help👍

[@dumitraconstantin5081]

FANTASTIC!!!!FELICITĂRI 🎊!!!! EȘTI MINUNAT!!!!

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Beautiful voice, he has the right perspective in that you should know when it’s time to stop. Placido Domingo certainly does not have that perspective,he’s still trying to sing at 82. And doing it very badly. You would think people around him would say, stop. It doesn’t sound good anymore.

[@user-jn9er9qm8v]

오랫동안당신의아름다운노래를 들을수있길!

[@ALISON-bt7mw]

❤👏

[@nicolecourtois8394]

Je ne parle pas allemand et ne suis pas la seule.. Peut on mettra un sous titre svp, merci !!!

[@JamesAHollandMusic]

Great Tenor but.....well.....I miss Maestro Pavarotti. I know that Kaufmann is a very different tenor than was the Maestro but that Pavarotti voice was something other worldly. Still, I appreciate Mr Kaufmann tremendously for his skill and art,

[@mikkimichelsson782]

UPEETA,ihanaa💖💞💋💖❣

[@andriskravalis9067]

👍👍❤

[@innocenzacorbetta2539]

JONAS SEI STUPENDO!!

[@ikasutic1280]

Jonas. MonDie Comme. Vous êtes Trop trop Bien et Dans des Rôles Difficile , je Vous ADORE ÉCOUTER comme regarder sur La SCÈNE Mais, je pense ; Il faut Peut-être ) pas trop PARLER ?! Il faut REPOSER Votre MAGNIFIQUE. VOiX. ! ❤

[@carmenleivataylor3440]

Que pena no pongan traduccion en español, sería interesante entender lo que dice

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Estimada Carmen Leiva Taylor, hay subtítulos en inglés. Puedes traducirlos al español a través de los ajustes.

[@elfikischel4904]

Genau

[@hee1321]

요나스 카우프만 🥰🥰

[@guntastrode]

Izcils tenors un aktieris!Nenovērtējama bauda klausīties un skatīties!PALDIES!

[@andreroux664]

mais où sont passés ses 3 premiers enfats que lui a donnés la mezzo soprano Margarete Joswig, j'ai mal pour elle, P.roux

[@aileenteo7027]

Is there english translation???

[@DWClassicalMusic]

There are english subtitles for this video, maybe you have to activate them (bottom right in the video player)

[@bogumilaeliminowicz445]

❤🎶🎶🇵🇱

[@elfikischel4904]

👍

[@horstfleck8786]

Die negativen Aussagen über Jonas Kaufmann sind Neid ?! Wenn mir einSänger(in)nicht zusagt höre ich nicht hin all die marzialischen Rock/Pop z B zeigen gemessen an die Kartenkäufer das wirkliche Kunst nur wenigen zugänglich ist eine Verarmung des Geistes

[@aileenteo7027]

Any English translation???

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Dear Aileen, sadly we can't provide you an english translation for this video. But have a look for the video setting, there you can select the subtitles in your preferred language. 😊

[@bogumilaeliminowicz445]

❤🇵🇱

[@monsieurBuntspecht]

Mutige Worte spricht dieser mutige Mann 👍 Hoffentlich bekommt er jetzt zur Strafe kein Berufsverbot.. 🤡 Im gleichgeschalteten inter-nationalen (Corona) Sozialismus... 🤑

[@Emikaelian]

I wish there was a translation.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

You can turn on the English subtitles by clicking CC at the bottom of the video. Hope this helps! 😄

[@PekuPeque]

in spanish please

[@09lohengrin]

Use the youtube-translator

[@barbaragawe170]

click the gear icon at the bottom right of the screen and select the language you want the subtitles translated into!

[@PcCAvioN]

Kaufmann struggled on that high c, now I don't feel so bad about struggling on my Bb and a's earlier today 😂

[@MuratOranci]

kaufmann cant sing because he use wrong vocal technique but nobody knows really interesting

[@alexandrecarbonel5908]

@@MuratOranci why is his technique wrong?

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

@@alexandrecarbonel5908 because he pushes his lyric instrument into dramatic repertoire, he is not a dramatic tenor at all. He sings with valsalva maneuver, falsettish high notes, unbalanced registers and no proyection. He's a mic singer. Don't pay for him, his singing is not exciting, it might be on KZbin but not on a real theater without amplification.

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

You must upgrade your(low) standard.. Listen to Martinelli, Volpi, Pertile, etc..

[@karinekman9476]

@@MuratOranci98ö

[@normabeatrizmanzano4973]

En español

[@potusumanbibingka]

10:00 is that a mosquito? 😂

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

And it's amplificated, imagine if it wouldn't!!!! Mosquito alerttttt ⚠

[@oliverdelica2289]

Ohh boy. How do we ever spread the truth about contemporary opera? This is always what makes it polarizing

[@christopherarmstrong-steve1122]

Why are so many audience members or others, not wearing masks when they are so close - and even speaking to, JK? Surely he's worth "protecting" from those potentially infectious people?

[@benbruining2519]

Het

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Herr kaufmann. Sollte sich etwas eleganter zuruck halten. Er ist wunderbar....braucht nicht immer soviel erzahlen. Zauber ist schweigend oftmals....

[@mariadosanjosjanela9477]

On portugueseplease. Thanks

[@barbaragawe170]

click the gear icon at the bottom right of the screen and select the language you want the subtitles translated into!

[@christinehabiger2778]

Ich bin noch immer der Meinung, daß Jonas Kaufmann zur Zeit der beste Tenor der Welt ist.

[@greatcanio1529]

Sig.HelenDutton Lei dice delle cose assurde,e di canto e di voci non CAPISCE PROPRIO NULLA ha capito?questo signore è un autentico cane,è solo un bel giovanotto,Ho ascoltato nella mia lunga vita tanti grandi Tenori dal vivo e mi creda un cane cosi non l'avevo mai ascoltato,e chi lo dirige è più cane di lui ai veri grandi Tenori questo signore può solo pulirgli le scarpe,non stò esagerando,qui è solo STAR SYSTEM tutto qui.

[@stefaniageroni6758]

Il più grande tenore del mondo attualmente

[@greatcanio1529]

@@stefaniageroni6758 il suo più grande tenore all'epoca dei veri grandi tenori che non sto qui ad elencarli non avrebbe mai potuto cantare con una voce così brutta, ingolata, senza squillo, solo perché è un bel giovanotto non avrebbe mai potuto cantare, si ricordi che io ho molti anni e di grandi tenori ne ho sentiti molti, comunque questa è la mia opinione un giorno mi darà ragione.

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

too ingolato, omg.

[@lucianogualtieri6721]

"E' ingolato" mi dissero un paio di amici. Lo ascoltai alla Scala nella Carmen, tanti anni fa. Mi piacque un sacco!

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

@@lucianogualtieri6721 You can like him of course, nobody would judge you for that. Anyway he sings with a darkned artificially emition. The result is an inefficient emition that ingolato sound doesn't proyect the voice at all, the sound is very small.

[@nancyrevzen7798]

He's a good singer but if Corelli or Del monaco were alive, well............

[@ikasutic1280]

ATTENTION C’EST Um peut TROP de « TENDRESSE «

[@potusumanbibingka]

he and giacomini seems to be in the same league. they seem to be choking themselves when they're singing.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

No. Giacomini was great before the 1990s. He also squillo, even into the 2000s. Kaufmann as never sounded good.

[@potusumanbibingka]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 I can take Giacommini's performance. but not with this Kaufman. I think he should've sticked into German and Swedish operas. His voice doesn't suit with Italian repertoires

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@@potusumanbibingka Exactly 1 Giacomini = 50 Kaufmann. Kaufmann is a joke, even in German opera.

[@potusumanbibingka]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 I don't know about German opera as I'm not fond of it compared to Italian. but if that's your view, I guess he really is a big joke in opera.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@@potusumanbibingka Yes, he is. In German opera, Melchior, Vickers, Lorenz, King and others are much, much better. Kaufmann’s voice is completely fake. He is actually a leggiero tenor, but his throaty technique makes his voice seem darker than it actually is. It is ‘fake dark’.

[@aijablumfelds131]

Please use mask, when speaking to the public!

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

One of the most overrated tenors in history. He sounds like he's choking when he sings.

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

Superstar, of course super overrated, what you expect!!! It is always cloudy heavy down there in his throat...

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@@user-py1jg6bb2r Not always. In his earlier years he would sing in the mask. But he has never sang correctly, never.

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

@@xxsaruman82xx87 Comparatively the early stuff, 20 years ago sounds less artificial, how can Met and other opera houses to survive without him. Puccini, Verdi, and Wagner... What else! Ruin them all.

[@judithbereczky4114]

The most overrated by far, and he thinks he is the greatest.

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

@@judithbereczky4114 "greatest" artificial darkening voice that ruins all operas...with lightest self awareness or no sense of shame or whatever.

[@Abigayl1950]

🤬 Kaufmann : how a Tenor can kill the VERDI ARIAS 🤮🤮🤮 He should only sing WAGNER !!!

[@salvoferraro6976]

Ascoltato in Otello , semplicemente vergognoso, ingolato da morire,voce piccola e intonazione non sempre a fuoco.Pessimo , deludente.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thank you for your comment. If possible, please comment in English next time so that more people can follow the discussion. All the best!

[@liliacristinapohl4905]

Otello 2017 en Londres , uno de los mas bellos que escuche y vi en mi larga vida ..💖🌹🌹