With more than a dozen commercial recordings of Beethoven’s only opera already available, why buy this new one? The reasons begin with Jonas Kaufmann. The German tenor brings to the role of the unjustly imprisoned Florestan the same qualities that have made him an international superstar — a keen understanding of the text joined to a powerful, exceptionally beautiful voice that is capable of the subtlest dynamic shadings. His is a carefully thought-out interpretation that still sounds fresh and spontaneous. It’s a thrilling performance, worthy of comparison with such great Florestans of the recent past as Jon Vickers and James King.
As his wife, Leonora, who has disguised herself as a young man named Fidelio in order to rescue him, Nina Stemme is also extremely impressive. The Swedish dramatic soprano creates a thoroughly sympathetic portrayal of a courageous wife and makes easy work of the role’s vocal hurdles, including a gleaming high C. In her extended aria, “Abscheulicher!” she smoothly switches gears from righteous anger to tenderness, and finally, to heroic determination.
