© Michael Pöhn
Tenor Jonas Kaufmann is currently singing the role of Canio in Pagliacci at the Vienna Opera. He is also singing Tonio's prologue, which is usually sung by a baritone. Should we see this as a career and repertoire development for the tenor? Not yet.
The Vienna State Opera is currently reviving the Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci diptych in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's historic production. Although the production has been well known since its premiere 39 years ago, this revival is attracting a great deal of attention because of its cast: Elina Garanca as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana and Jonas Kaufmann as Canio in Pagliacci - both of whom have received unanimous praise, including in our columns (in German).
A little surprise: Jonas Kaufmann also sings the few lines of Tonio in the prologue of Pagliacci. A role usually sung by a baritone. This was enough to raise questions: is the German tenor at a turning point in his career and is he planning to add baritone roles to his repertoire? The question arises because others have already undergone such tessitura changes, starting with Placido Domingo, who has gradually modified his repertoire as his voice has evolved with age.
Tonio, a ‘baritenor’ tessitura
This is clearly not the case for Jonas Kaufmann. On social networks, the tenor put an end to speculation “to clarify why (he is) singing the prologue in I Pagliacci”. He says: “I have already sung it many times in concerts, and now, I'm doing it here at Wiener Staatsoper in performance. And I have no plans, for now, to start singing baritone roles now”. Jonas Kaufmann points out that “this prologue is for a ‘baritenor’, so to speak – between tenor and baritone – and has, I believe, just one lower note to sing when compared to Canio's part. So it's not a big stretch or whatever you want to call it”.
Jonas Kaufmann also explains why he agreed to sing this prologue in Vienna. His stage partner, Czech baritone Adam Plachetka, already sings Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana and Tonio in Pagliacci. A relatively heavy double role for one evening, and according to Jonas Kaufmann, he “was glad to have a few less bars to sing” – those of the prologue sung by Jonas Kaufmann. That's the explanation, and we'll remember here that it's not yet time for Jonas Kaufmann to give up tenor roles.
free translation of our article first published in French
the 24 of January, 2025 | Print
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