Philippe Jaroussky captivates audiences with his “La Gelosia” program in Berlin, Neumarkt and Hanover

Last week, Philippe Jaroussky and his Ensemble Artaserse presented the program La Gelosia in three sold-out venues: the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie, the Reitstadel in Neumarkt, and Schloss Herrenhausen in Hanover. The program unites cantatas and instrumental works by Porpora, Galuppi, Durante, Vivaldi, as well as Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti. Two of the cantatas are world-premiere recordings featured on the recently released Warner album La Gelosia. Under the overarching theme of “jealousy,” this carefully curated program explored a wide range of affections—from vulnerability and doubt to despair, rage, and love. Jaroussky appeared in excellent form on all three stages, shaping the emotional contours of the music with remarkable clarity.

Equally decisive was his collaboration with Artaserse: the ensemble balanced energy and restraint, creating a dense and precise chamber-music texture while leaving ample space for Jaroussky’s interpretation. Critics highlighted the close artistic unity between soloist and ensemble as a defining feature of the entire tour.

In an article in Mittelbayerische from 3 December 2025, Andreas Meixner writes:

“In the expansive recitatives and da capo arias, he draws from the fullest, plucking tones out of thin air, yet allowing his voice to fade into the softest pianissimo. His virtuosity possesses an effortless ease that serves only to intensify the affect, heightening both love’s sorrow and its fury.” (read more)

In the Nürnberger Nachrichten, Thomas Heinold writes on 3 December 2025:

“Jaroussky masters this art of affect modulation like few others; it forms the basis of his international renown. His countertenor remains of silvery purity at the top, free of any sharpness, and gains in the middle register a warmth that makes the pain believable. He commands all his vocal resources with ease, letting tones float in the most exquisite legato like dream moments that seem to last forever.” (read more)

In the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (HAZ) from 3 December 2025, Henning Queren writes:

“The encore was the bravura piece ‘Alto Giove’ by Porpora. The way Jaroussky holds the first vowel—long, very long—modulating and shading it, testifies to his supreme mastery of the craft and reveals once more the full beauty of this voice. The audience is thrilled, standing ovations. No one could possibly be jealous of this singer.” (read more)