German-Austrian tenor Jonas Kaufmann is at a thrilling juncture in his distinguished career, revisiting cherished moments that highlight his lasting talent. His latest album, “Puccini: Love Affairs,” recorded with the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna and conducted by Asher Fisch, features an array of duets and scenes from six different operas, showcased alongside six exceptional soprano partners. Following the acclaim of his first Puccini album, “Nessun Dorma,” released in 2015, expectations for this new release are notably high.

Despite facing some criticism for recent inconsistent stage performances and cancellations, this studio recording presents an opportunity for Kaufmann to fully demonstrate his musical capabilities. While a few high notes may reveal slight strain, his lyrical expression and musical intelligence remain as captivating as ever. The album launches with a powerful rendition of the climactic aria “O soave fanciulla” from “La bohème,” featuring soprano Pretty Yende. It then explores a broader range with selections from “Manon Lescaut” alongside Anna Netrebko, “Tosca” with Sonya Yoncheva, “La fanciulla del West” featuring Malin Byström, “Il tabarro” with Asmik Grigorian, and “Madama Butterfly” alongside Maria Agresta.

Accompanying the album is a presentation booklet that includes full texts and an engaging interview with Kaufmann. In this interview, he reminisces about the profound impact his childhood experience of seeing “Madama Butterfly” in Munich had on his passion for opera. As a devoted advocate for Puccini’s work, Kaufmann’s latest album is set to captivate his fans, offering an excellent introduction to the emotional depth and range of Puccini’s music.