Aida (3cd)

This magnificent recording of Aida, made in Rome, rises to all the musical and dramatic challenges presented by Verdis richly-coloured Egyptian epic. Antonio Pappano, once again proving his mastery of Italian opera, moves between sumptuous grandeur and touching intimacy. The responses of the Orchestra e Coro dellAccademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia are both immediate and vibrant, while the singers - Anja Harteros, Jonas Kaufmann, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Ludovic Tzier and Erwin Schrott - do justice to every facet of their roles. Critical acclaim for Antonio Pappano - AIDA Close your eyes and imagine the perfect Aida [] a visual rendition of the work - a testament to the importance of studio recordings The Telegraph ***** Verdis epic of Ancient Egypt comes thrillingly alive here in a superb new recording which could hardly be bettered today a magnificent achievement that gives enormous pleasure The Daily Telegraph ***** Pappano brings gorgeous colours and textures to a spectacular studio recordingCD of the week - The Guardian **** It is a triumph - Radio 3 CD Review Disc of the Week Recording of the month - Gramophone Magazine Recording of the month - BBC Music Magazine Album of the week - Sunday Times Classical album of the year - Sunday Times Album of the year - BBC Music Magazines Awards 2016 Opera award - Gramophone Awards 2016