On stage, they are usually rivals, but in real life, Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tézier share a close friendship. After numerous joint live performances, their first duet album featuring both exceptional singers is now being released. Titled Insieme, which means “Together” in Italian, it will be available on October 7 from Sony Classical. Accompanied by the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under Antonio Pappano, they present duets they have sung together on stage and pieces they have specifically rehearsed for this album.
Since their joint performance in Werther in 2010 in Paris, they have frequently been stage partners in various productions; and as with their duet album, the works of Verdi play a central role. When they first embodied the rivals in La Forza del Destino at the Bavarian State Opera in 2013, it was immediately clear: here were two artists who inspire each other. “With Ludovic, I can go full throttle, especially in our joint scenes in La Forza del Destino, which are like a vocal wrestling match,” explains Jonas Kaufmann about working with Ludovic Tézier, “I can’t imagine playing these scenes with someone where you have to constantly hold back. With Ludo, it’s always a great challenge; you have to give it your all. I think I give a better performance when I’m on stage with him.”
Both Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tézier have already released solo albums featuring scenes from Verdi operas. In 2017, they performed in Paris in the original French version of Verdi’s Don Carlos; thus, it only makes sense that the famous duet between Carlos and Rodrigue from this version is featured on their duet album. Here, they are not eternal adversaries but real allies, in one of the most beautiful male friendships in opera.
Additionally, this is the first time both are heard together in Otello. At Kaufmann’s debut as Otello in 2017 at the Royal Opera House in London, Tézier was supposed to debut alongside him as Iago, but unfortunately, he had to cancel. Thus, the recording sessions during the 2021 lockdown became their first joint Otello, even before Tézier made up his first stage Iago at the Vienna State Opera. The mutual respect they have for each other, especially in these extremely demanding roles, is significant. “For me, Jonas is the prototype of a modern singer,” says Tézier. “Not only does he look good and is a good actor. He can sing in any language and adapt his interpretations to any style. And he immerses himself in his roles. These are qualities that keep opera alive.” The fact that Antonio Pappano, one of the most distinguished opera conductors of our time, is at the helm of his Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia is another stroke of luck for this recording.
Lorsque vous cliquez sur le bouton "Play", des ressources externes de youtube.com sont chargées. Veuillez cliquer uniquement si vous acceptez les conditions de confidentialité de YouTube. When you click on the "Play" button, external resources from youtube.com are loaded. Please click only if you agree with YouTube's privacy policy.
Both are here for the first time in the great duets from Verdi’s Les vêpres siciliennes, in the rarely performed French version. The duet from Ponchielli’s verismo masterpiece La Gioconda is also a genuine double debut, soon to be followed by a joint performance of the complete opera. Puccini’s La Bohème, however, has been performed by both on stage, but not together; here they are heard together for the first time with the duet from the 4th act.