Verdi: Aida (Arena di Verona) - Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray

Hui He (Aida); Marco Berti (Radames); Andrea Ulbrich (Amneris ); Ambrogio Maestri (Amonasro ); Roberto Tagliavini (The King); Antonella Trevisan (High Priestess); Antonello Ceron (A messenger); Orchestra, Chorus and Corps de Ballet of the Arena di Verona (Choir and Orchestra); Daniel Oren (Conductor); Gianfranco De Bosio (Director);

The grand scale and magnificent acoustics of the Roman arena in Verona are ideally suited to the pageantry of Verdi's Egyptian opera, presented here in a staging that is true to the original 1913 production, framed by obelisks and sphinxes and filled with chorus and dancers. Chinese soprano Hui He has won international acclaim for her portrayal of the eponymous slave girl whose forbidden love for the war hero Radamés (Marco Berti, the experienced Verdi tenor) brings death to them both.
Recorded live at Arena di Verona, June 2012

Reviews

"It's straightforward, recalling Edwardian toy theatre...And the spectacle isn't overdone...Ulbrich is a fiery Amneris. But it's the Ethiopians who carry the day, with Maestri's thundering Amonasro and, above all, Chinese soprano Hui He's Aida, vocally strong and passionate and commanding a decent mezza voce" (BBC Music Magazine)

"Hui He is one of the world's Aidas of choice, and there's no denying that she's got what it takes ... Berti, similarly, has a true Verdi tenor as Radames .. .Ulbrich is an impressive Amneris without a well-placed top couple of notes ... Maestri, who looks as if he could stomp the Egyptians to death if he wanted to, sings and acts a monumental Amonasro." (International Record Review)

"[Hui He] is quite magnificent, her silvery-toned soprano soaring above the orchestra. Add her involved and expressive acting and excellent vocal characterisation to a smooth legato line and I was bowled over...[Ulbrich] has the vocal heft and bite to come over in the large Verona Arena whilst her committed acting was also welcome." (Musicweb International)