Music
Review: Jonas Kaufmann Takes a Big Step Toward ‘Tristan’
Boston Symphony Orchestra
NYT Critic’s Pick
By ANTHONY TOMMASINIAPRIL 13, 2018
Photo
The tenor Jonas Kaufmann, left, trying out a substantial chunk of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” at Carnegie Hall with Andris Nelsons, right, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Thursday at Carnegie Hall. Credit Chris Lee
There was one big question hovering over the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s ambitious programs at Carnegie Hall this week: How would the tenor Jonas Kaufmann fare in his trial run in one of the mightiest roles in opera, Wagner’s Tristan?
For the second program, on Thursday, Andris Nelsons, the orchestra’s music director, led a concert performance of Act II of “Tristan und Isolde.” For both Mr. Kaufmann and his Isolde, the soprano Camilla Nylund, this 75-minute act, which contains the most unbridled, aching and ecstatic love scene in the repertory, represented first attempts at these touchstone roles.
Isolde is a summit for dramatic sopranos, and Ms. Nylund brought vocal radiance and affecting volatility to her performance. But a great Tristan is a real rarity. Is Mr. Kaufmann, who has excelled as Wagner’s Lohengrin, Parsifal and Siegmund, the Tristan we’ve been waiting for?
The tenor Jonas Kaufmann and the soprano Camilly Nylund make their role debuts as Wagner’s doomed lovers in this concert performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
By BRANDON CARDWELL/BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA on Publish Date April 6, 2018. .
There were tantalizing moments — long stretches, even — in his courageous performance. When Tristan arrives at night to meet Isolde, Mr. Kaufmann combines virile energy with dusky colorings to suggest a man caught between desire and world-weary sadness. But he was particularly fine when passions calm for a while and the two lovers sink into Wagner’s nocturne, longing to be eternally united in death. The covered quality of Mr. Kaufmann’s voice, in which even firm, sustained notes have a slightly shaded cast, was what you dream of hearing when Tristan sings these melting phrases.
A great Tristan must have vocal endurance to sing the entire role, and Mr. Kaufmann still seems to be finding his way. He also appeared to be grappling with some congestion and took frequent sips of water. But this was a big step.
