Press Archive
2015-03-15, Rheinische Post Online
“Mit einem Programm aus Verlaine-Vertonungen trat der französische Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky mit seinem Pianisten Jérôme Ducros in der Tonhalle auf. Der Besuch zeigte, dass Abende solcher Art in Düsseldorf vermisst werden”…
via RP online
2015-03-17, codalario.com
“A menudo encontramos cantantes que se dedican fundamentalmente a cantar ópera y de vez en cuando se acercan a la canción, grabando un disco o dando algún recital. Philippe Jaroussky es uno de estos cantantes de canción ocasionales, desde su debut a principios de los 2000 ha publicado una extensa discografía en la que encontramos dos discos de mélodie: Opium, del año 2009, y Green, que ha salido al mercado hace unas semanas”…
via Coladario
2015-03-01, Das Erste, ttt (Titel, Thesen, Temperamente)
“Er sang die Arien des Kastraten Farinelli und die großen Klassiker des Barock. Das leiseste Atemholen wird bei ihm zu subtiler Gestaltung: Philippe Jaroussky ist der beste Countertenor der Gegenwart – so urteilen zumindest viele Kritiker des “Orchideenfachs” seit Jahren. Philippe Jaroussky, ein 38-jähriger Franzose mit dem “Look” eines verführerischen Engels – klanglich souverän und mühelos virtuos”…
Source: Das Erste
The following is not a professional translation; no profit is being made, no infringement of copyright is intended.
Superstar of the High Notes
Why countertenor Philippe Jaroussky sings the praise of the poet Verlaine
He has sung the arias written for the castrato Farinelli as well as the big classics of Baroque. The most silent breath turns subtle creation with him: Philippe Jaroussky is the best countertenor of the present – at least, that’s the judgement of many critics of this rare discipline, for years now. Philippe Jaroussky, a Frenchman of 38 [sic! – he is 37 in fact] years with the looks of a seductive angel – vocally masterful, and effortlessly virtuosic.
Jaroussky’s repertoire spans exceptionally wide: from the emphasis on Baroque up to contemporary opera. For his new album, “Green,” he went back to the 19th century, and immersed himself in the life of the poet whose poems were set to music more often than anyone else’s in France: the scandalous genius Paul Verlaine, iconic figure of the Bohème, protagonist of scandalous stories full of violence, sex, and passions, who the French are as familiar with – which includes his adventurous biography – as the Germans are with Goethe, Schiller, or Heine.
“ttt” met Philippe Jaroussky in Paris. Starting at the 4th of May, he is going to tour Germany and Europe. We asked him why we should still be interested in Verlaine today.
Author: Stefanie Appel
The feature: [transcript]
Philippe Jaroussky: His voice is inspired by beauty. As if it was fallen out of time. In Paris, in this winter, it is almost unreal. Mostly, he sings sacral music and often, Baroque opera, the classical domain of a countertenor. Now, for once, he wanted to do something completely different.
1015-02-28, Die Welt
“Die Leute reagieren völlig anders als bei einem Pop-Star. Denn sie sind ja an Händel, Vivaldi, Bach interessiert – nicht primär an mir”…
Source: Die Welt
2015-02-27, Donaukurier
Dann haben Sie ja noch einiges vor sich, oder?
Jaroussky: Natürlich werden die Alte und die Neue Musik für Countertenöre weiterhin das zentrale Repertoire sein. Aber ich bin davon überzeugt, dass heute Countertenöre darüber hinaus Weiteres erschließen müssen – auch ein Repertoire wie auf dem „Green“-Album. Für meine Stimme eignen sich übrigens auch die „Kindertotenlieder“ von Mahler, zwei oder drei habe ich bereits gesungen.
There’s a lot yet to be done then, isn’t it?
Jaroussky: Of course, early and new music will continue to be the core of the countertenor repertoire. I am convinced, however, that today, countertenors have to explore further – which includes a repertoire like the one on “Green.” By the way, the “Kindertotenlieder” by Mahler also suit my voice, two or three I have even sung already.
Source/Read more: Donaukurier (paid content)
The following is not a professional translation; no profit is being made, no infringement of copyright is intended.
Pastel-Coloured Feelings
Ingolstadt (DK) He is one of the great countertenors of our time. On Thursday, Philippe Jaroussky performs at the Ingolstädter Festsaal, introducing his latest album “Green.” For this, the Frenchman has compiled different settings of Verlaine’s poems that were created around 1900 – amongst others, by Gabriel Fauré or Claude Debussy. Jaroussky comes to Ingolstadt along with his pianist Jérôme Ducros, to capture the sound-sensual atmosphere of the French “Fin de Siècle.
Mr Jaroussky, you are a countertenor. So why do you sing settings to music of Verlaine’s poems, created around 1900?
Philippe Jaroussky: Because, on one hand, I want to show that it is perfectly possible for an opera singer to give recitals. On the other hand, I feel very attracted by the settings to music of Verlaine and French song. In opera – more so, in Baroque, which is obviously the center piece for us countertenors – you have to give shape to hysterical feelings sometimes. You kill, you are jealous, insidious. At some very dramatic moments, I reach my limits. Whereas in French song, I have to express more pastel-coloured feelings, a lot of melancholia, just to name one. It might sound strange as a countertenor, but I feel at home in this repertoire.
2015-02-25, Forum Opéra
“Apparemment, l’exploration de la mélodie française – on lira demain ici le compte rendu de son disque Green – ne suffit plus à Philippe Jaroussky pour échapper au répertoire baroque. En mars 2016 à Amsterdam, il créera un opéra de chambre de Kaija Saariaho, Only the Sound Remains ; bizarrement, ce vers d’Edward Thomas a déjà servi de titre à plusieurs œuvres contemporaines, en 2007 pour le compositeur iranien Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour, et en 2010 pour le Britannique Howard Skempton”…
Source: Forum Opéra
2015-02-24, El Plural
Philippe Jaroussky, que se define a sí mismo como contratenor, publica uno de los discos con los que, según él “más ha disfrutado” tanto en la búsqueda de repertorio como en la interpretación y grabación del mismo. “Green” es un merecido homenaje a la canción francesa y a uno de los poetas que más le han inspirado; Paul Verlaine (1844-96) pionero francés de los movimientos decadentes y un icono del Art poétique del siglo XIX
Source/Read more: El Plural
2015-02-18, ociocrítico.com, diariocrítico.com
“Único e irrepetible. Grande/grande. Así es Philippe Jaroussky, el único contratenor con estatus de superestrella a nivel planetario, a pesar de contar con tan sólo 36 años. Ahora se ja metido en una también original e irrepetible nueva obra, ‘Green’, cargada de música de su país y dedicada al gran poeta Paul Verlaine, que paseará en España a lo largo del mes de marzo. Una cita imprescindible”…
Source/Read more: Diariocrítico.com
2015-01-27, La Depeche
Lorsque je grave un disque, j’ai envie de le faire connaître. Aujourd’hui, dans un contexte morose, si l’on veut que la musique classique survive, il faut communiquer, utiliser tous les moyens modernes. Il existe un vrai engouement du public pour les œuvres qui sortent un peu de l’ordinaire, surtout dans le répertoire baroque. Concernant «Niobe», c’est rare dans une vie d’artiste d’enregistrer en première mondiale un opéra d’une si grande beauté.
Source/Read more: LaDepeche.fr
2015-01-22, Le Figaro
…”La phrase que vous aimez dire lumière éteinte?
‘C’était une journée intense aujourd’hui, n’est-ce pas?'”
Source/Read more: Le Figaro
The following is not a professional translation; no profit is being made, no infringement of copyright is intended.
The night is his friend. Whether he is in Madrid or in Paris, the 36 year old countertenor enjoys those hypnotic moments of the small hours. We will see him on the 22nd at the Opéra Royal de Versailles and on the 24th at TCE, at the resurection of the very baroque Steffani’s Niobe, recently released on cd by Warner.
What should I order for you?
A Hendrick’s Tonic. Gin with a cucumber slice. If there’s a lemon slice, it is not a real one. This is what I like to have after a concert, not before!Which song to go along with it?
“April in Paris” by Ella Fitzgerald. Continue Reading