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Jonas KaufmannGerman opera singer, tenor
Date of Birth: 10.07.1969
Country:  Germany |
Biography of Jonas Kaufmann
German opera singer, tenorGerman opera singer, one of the most sought-after tenors in the world. Although he is known for performing numerous leading roles in the works of Mozart, Wagner, and verismo composers, Kaufmann is particularly renowned for his interpretation of lyric-dramatic tenor roles, such as Don José in 'Carmen', Cavaradossi in 'Tosca', Maurizio in 'Adriana Lecouvreur', and the title role in 'Don Carlos'. Jonas Kaufmann was born on July 10, 1969, in Munich, Germany. His father worked for an insurance company, and his mother was a kindergarten teacher. Jonas grew up with an older sister and began learning to play the piano when he was eight years old. Additionally, he sang in the school choir during his time in high school. His passion for opera was instilled in him by his grandfather, a Wagner enthusiast, who lived one floor above and often came down to sing something from his favorite composer's works to his grandchildren. Jonas' parents encouraged their children's interest in classical music, and he saw his first opera, the spectacular 'Madama Butterfly', at the age of five. However, after finishing school, Kaufmann, who studied mathematics intensively and excelled in technical subjects, became a student at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, majoring in mathematics - his family believed that he needed a reliable profession. He stayed in university for two semesters and in 1989 finally entered the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, where he studied vocal music. During his studies, he performed several small roles at the Bavarian State Opera and graduated from the university in 1994 with degrees in opera and chamber singing. Unfortunately, in the conservatory, which Jonas Kaufmann doesn't particularly like to remember, his voice was trained to sing as a light and bright tenor. His professional career began in a small theater in Saarbrücken, western Germany, and for almost two years, the current star of the world opera scene appeared on stage in tiny roles until the incorrect vocal training completely deprived him of his voice. A fortunate coincidence - or rather, an older bass from the same opera company - brought him together with American baritone Michael Rhodes in 1995, who literally saved the young artist by teaching him a completely new singing technique and revealing Jonas' magnificent dark natural timbre, which gave his voice an astonishing power and agility. In his book 'Meinen die wirklich mich?', the singer called his meeting with Rhodes his greatest stroke of luck, which led him to success. Soon, Kaufmann, who revealed a new, unusual side of the German opera scene, was invited to perform at German theaters such as the Stuttgart Opera and the Hamburg State Opera. Debuts at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opéra National de Paris, and the legendary La Scala in Milan did not take long. In 1999, he made his debut at the Salzburg Festival in a new production of 'Doktor Faust' by Ferruccio Busoni and returned to the festival in 2003 as Belmonte in Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail'. He also performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2006-2007, Kaufmann performed at Covent Garden, successfully portraying the role of Don José and also sang Alfredo in Verdi's 'La Traviata' at the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden in 2008. In May 2008, he debuted as Cavaradossi at Covent Garden, once again accompanied by success. In 2008-2009, he performed in 'Manon' and played the lead role in 'Lohengrin' in his hometown of Munich. Kaufmann also sang Lohengrin at the opening of the Bayreuth Festival in 2010. His first release, 'Romantic Arias', was released on Decca in January 2008. He also recorded a Schubert song cycle at the same recording studio and the role of Pinkerton in 'Madama Butterfly' for EMI. In January 2010, he performed the lead role in Jules Massenet's 'Werther' at Opéra Bastille, and the performance was recorded and released on DVD in November of the same year. In April 2011, he returned to the Metropolitan Opera as Siegmund in a new production of Wagner's 'Die Walküre', the second part of 'Der Ring des Nibelungen'. The entire tetralogy will be performed on the stage of the New York theater by the end of the 2012 season. Kaufmann is married to mezzo-soprano Margarete Joswig, whom he met in Saarbrücken. They have three children and live in Zürich, Switzerland.
