In an era when classical musicians are heavily marketed and encouraged to appeal to the widest possible audience at all times, baritone Matthias Goerne stands out as a performer unwilling to compromise for the sake of pleasing everyone. “You are either fascinated by Goerne or repelled by him. Like Ian Bostridge he polarises opinion. Both singers have pronounced mannerisms, both have highly personal ways of colouring the music, both have a timbre that lends itself to some repertoire but sounds ungainly in the ‘wrong’ music. The bottom line is: the German baritone, like his English tenor counterpart, does not allow you to remain indifferent.”