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SCMP Reporter

He Hui Returns
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Concert Hall
Reviewed: Oct 26
Soprano He Hui returned to give a solid and assured performance of operatic arias.
The young soprano, whose operatic career is on a rapid rise around the world, treated us to some well-known arias and  some pieces with which the public perhaps may have been less familiar.  No matter - whether delivering a famous aria or something less mainstream, He (right)  did so with style and verve.
It's a joy  to hear an assured voice and to know after only a few phrases that the singer will have no problems with the evening's diverse programme, which included  arias such as Puccini's   O mio babbino caro (from   Gianni Schicchi) and Cilea's   Io son l'umile ancella (from   Cavalleria rusticana).
The highlight of the evening  was the   Pace, pace, mio dio! from   La Forza del Destino by Verdi. The light accompaniment of strings and harp through most of the aria enabled   He's voice to come through clearly, showing all her style and skill. The  soprano can sing piano, forte and keep an even colour throughout her range.
The one drawback is the Concert Hall  - it's  not a hall for singers. At times a  singer's voice is  almost swallowed by the bad acoustics. The venue is substandard and another more suitable one must be found.
However, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, led by  Lu Jia, was up to the task of accompanying He.   In Lu's extremely capable hands, the orchestra sounded very good in the overtures,  including the lovely   Intermezzo from   Cavalleria rusticana.



He Hui Returns