The press, describing Munich-born tenor Jonas Kaufmanns voice, inevitably reaches for superlatives. Blessed with a voice of clarity and strength, not to mention riveting stage presence, Kaufmann is the born tenor hero. The clarion ring of his tenor can thrill, but equally, he can diminish it to an exquisite pianissimo. It is a unique instrument and one that ensures his concerts are sold-out events, leaving an enduring impression on his audiences.

The recordings on this set chronicle his Decca Years, although the earliest of the recordings on the set was made for Philips a complete WeberOberonin 2002 conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. They stretch ten years, to 2012, with his last recording for Decca, the sumptuously recorded Wagner recital with Donald Runnicles.

This period showcases a wide range of Kaufmanns artistry. Three complete opera recordings are included in the set, each of which in some way foreshadows his Wagnerian future: the aforementioned Oberon, the role of the Kings Son in HumperdincksKnigskinder(recorded for the Accord label in France) and Florestan in BeethovensFideliowith Abbado.

The showcases of opera arias (with Abbado, Armiliato, Pappano and Runnicles) traverse 18th and early 19th century Germanic repertoire, the thrill of verismo and, of course, the landmark Wagner recital. Included on this set, too, is bonus material recorded at the time of the original sessions, including an aria from Mascagnis Iris, an ensemble from Puccinis La rondine (with Rene Fleming); Schuberts intimate song Der Jngling an der Quelle and Richard Strausss sweeping Ccilie. Plus a detailed audio interview (in English and German) about Wagner.

A major song cycle (Schuberts Die schne Mllerin) and a breathtaking choral work (Verdis Messa da Requiem) round off this offering, showcasing Jonas Kaufmann at his finest. These award-winning and critically-acclaimed recordings represent a period in his career that finds him embracing the gamut of repertoire, showing in no uncertain terms that his voice and artistry had no limits.