Indra Maria Jonas

In a Christmas album that is a gift itself, Jonas Kaufmann the most acclaimed operatic tenor of the age echoes his own holiday memories and joys with It s Christmas!, celebrating the most festive time of the year with a unique selection of beloved songs and carols. This uniquely rich and diverse holiday album features 40 favorites that reflect the many facets of Christmas, from ancient Christian hymns to contemporary pop classics.

This studio recording finds Kaufmann and Pappano reunited after their 2017 staged run at Covent Garden—the tenor’s first Otello. It’s an elegant performance: Pappano follows the letter of the score with great attention to detail, drawing magnificent playing from his Roman orchestra, with lyricism the defining quality. Kaufmann’s Otello matches his conductor’s approach and his baritonal tenor easily embraces the full range of this formidable role. It’s a well-thought-out performance that gives much pleasure. Federica Lombardi’s Desdemona develops convincingly throughout the opera and truly touches the heart. Carlos Álvarez makes Iago an introspective schemer. Well worth your attention.

I continue my journey of exploration through Indra's catalogue with what I think is his latest album 'Signs'. An ominous slow bass rhythm gets 'Atlas On Stage' off to an excellent brooding start. Little melodic Jarre type sequences / loops are added to it. More brooding melody is brought into play with the skilful use of soft melancholy pads. As I am growing to expect by now this is sheer class. Shimmering cosmic drones and occasional touches of piano provide quite a cosmic start to 'Saltimbanc'. As with the opener the feeling is quite mournful but this is countered nicely by the introduction of another quality sequence. Quite a contemporary rhythm is then brought into play along with Vangelis type melodies. It is certainly an intriguing combination of styles though the drums, which are bordering on dance (though not of the thud thud variety), might put off some traditionalists. We return to the cosmos and tender piano to finish.