Jonas Kaufmann & Ludovic Tézier: The vocal alchemy

A few years ago, during a discussion about the famous aria “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Tosca, a fellow singer recommended Jonas Kaufmann’s rendition. Curiosity got the better of me and I had to listen straight away, and I was not disappointed; a rich timbre and perfect technique make Kaufmann one of the greatest tenors of his generation.

Celebrate the birthday of this renowned opera star and enjoy his unique recital with long-time friend and costar, baritone Ludovic Tézier, featuring a stunning program of duets by Verdi, Ponchielli, and Puccini. In this unmissable concert, the duo’s remarkable rapport on stage and combined musical and theatrical powers confirm their reputation as Italian opera experts.

One of my favorite moments of the concert is an excerpt from La Forza del destino, where Kaufmann delivers Alvaro’s aria “La vita è inferno all’infelice” with exquisite poise and acute musical sensitivity. His perfectly controlled pianissimi convey an intensity and pain befitting the young Alvaro, tormented by fate as he bitterly remembers the sweet Leonora.

In contrast, Ludovic Tézier is better suited to calculating Machiavellian characters whom he embodies with fascinating psychological complexity, each facial expression and hand gesture enhancing both his powerful timbre and commanding stage presence. Who better to portray Iago, Othello’s infamous rival? Tézier’s captivating rendition of the aria “Credo in un Dio crudel” reveals the full extent of his character’s calculating cynicism and malice.

Despite their characters’ fierce rivalry, the genuine camaraderie, mutual respect, and palpable good humor of the two singers — who visibly delight in sharing the spotlight once more — effectively temper the on-stage tension. The two extraordinarily talented friends aptly round out their exceptional program with the famous duet from Verdi’s Don Carlo in which the eponymous hero and his friend Rodrigo vow to maintain a loyal friendship.

This remarkable concert demonstrates why, in addition to their superstar status as solo artists, Kaufmann and Tézier are also so beloved as a duo: their evident chemistry, the seamless blend of their vocal timbres, and their astounding musicality and virtuosity always result in something truly memorable. Kaufmann agrees: “Whenever I’m on stage with him, I feel I give a better performance.”