7 unforgettable Jonas Kaufmann performances

There are versatile singers and then there's Jonas Kaufmann.

The Munich-born tenor is known for his ability to sing an extraordinarily wide range of operatic styles. He's a master of Italian, French and (unlike most of the world's most famous opera singers) German opera.

Here's just a small selection of some of his most exciting performances.

1. Tosca: 'E Lucevan le stelle'

One of Kaufmann's signature roles is Cavaradossi from Puccini's Tosca. His performance of Cavaradossi's third-act aria, 'E lucevan le stelle' is a spectacular display of sensitive musicianship and emotion. In 2020, he performed the aria in an intimate setting for the Metropolitan Opera's 'Met Stars Live in Concert' series.

2. Die Walküre: Act 1

There are few singers who can tackle both the Italian "lyric" repertoire and Wagner's much heavier singing. Here's Kaufmann in a concert performance of Wagner's Die Walküre, in the heldentenor role of Siegmund.

3. Parsifal: 'Amfortas! Die Wunde!'

Another of Kaufmann's most important roles is Wagner's Parsifal. He's sung this character (an Arthurian knight) throughout Europe to enormous acclaim and in our concert performances at the Sydney Opera House in 2017.

4. Faust: 'Salut, demeure chaste et pure'

Kaufmann is equally at home in French repertoire. He has performed the title role in Gounod's Faust to fabulous reviews, although this role is often played by singers with lighter voices.

5. Otello: 'Dio! Mi potevi scagliar'

One of Kaufmann's favourite roles is the title character of Verdi's Otello. The role is considered the Mount Everest of the Italian tenor repertoire, and Kaufmann released his full recording of the opera in 2020 to rave reviews, and even won the Opus Klassik award for Opera Recording of the Year.

6. Turandot: 'Nessun Dorma'

Just about every operatic tenor in the world has performed 'Nessun Dorma', such is the appeal of this great and widely-loved Puccini aria. Kaufmann actually avoided singing it for a long time, but it was clearly worth waiting for. He recorded it in 2015 and has performed it multiple times since then.

7. 'Volare'

Who's the say the greatest tenor of his generation needs to only perform serious opera? Here's Kaufmann performing the hugely popular 1950s Italian pop song 'Volare' in a concert of Italian songs.