Verdi: Requiem

"Even without a fully Italianate instrument, Kaufmann's honeyed, warm tone makes him exceptional in Verdi… Kaufmann's refined artistry shows that even without the leather-lunged Verdians of half a century ago, today's stars can stake their claim on the composer." (The Telegraph)

"Barenboim's interpretative view is grand in conception, with the La Scala performers offering him sufficient depth and richness of tone...the four soloists form a quartet finely balanced in vocal weight and proficiency...this is an impressive account." BBC Music

"this performance, exciting and occasionally thrilling though it is, is not remotely Italian...It's a 'through-composed' linked-up performance, paced withy a dramatic curve that makes even the punchiest Italian-led ones...feel like number opera...The non-Italian soloists are in good fearless voice and aurally well integrated into this concept" Gramophone

"The magnificent full-throated chorus project in a manner liable to rip off the La Scala roof. And the soloists too trail opera glory...Barenboim, meanwhile, does everything to encourage bold attack from players and singers; even his pauses tremble. All told, it's a thrilling account" Times