Hui He, soprano

Chinese soprano Hui He studied music and singing at the Conservatory of Xi’an. In 1998 she made her debut singing in the title role of Verdi’s Aida at the ShanghaiGrand Theater. In 2000 she won the second prize at “Placido Domingo Operalia” International Competition and shortly after performed concerts with Placido Domingo in Shanghai. In 2002 she was awarded the first prize at the International Competition “Verdi Voices” in Busseto. In 2002 she made her international debut, singing in the title role of Puccini’s Tosca at the Teatro Regio di Parma. As the only Asian singer nominated in season 2014-2015, she was named one of the top 10 best female singers in the world by “Opera Actual”, the most authentic Spanish opera magazine. Her vast repertoire includes the Verdi’s titles of Aida, Ballo in Maschera, Stiffelio, Attila, Simon Boccanegra, Forza del destino, Il Trovatore, Puccini’s titles of Tosca, Turandot, Madama Butterfly and Andrea Chenier, La Gioconda, Cavalleria rusticana, Ariadne auf Naxos etc.

Hui He is the only Chinese singer acting as the protagonists of the operas from the Teatro alla Scala in Milan as Tosca, Butterfly and Aida.Hui He has performed in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world (La Scala in Milan, the Arena di Verona, the Metropolitan in New York, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Vienna State Opera, the Deutsch Oper Berlin, the Staatsoper Berlin, Bayerische Staatsoper in Monaco of Bavaria, the Opera Bastille in Paris, the Linceu Barcelona, Palau de les Arts in Valencia, NCPA in Beijing, NHK in Tokyo etc, and has appeared on stage along with some of the most renowned conductors (Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Oren, Fabio Luisi, Marco Armilliato, Andris Nelsons, Gustavo Dudamel). She has partecipated in productions of the highest level with world-renowned directors (Franco Zeffirelli, Hugo de Ana, Robert Wilson, Damiano Michieletto, Giancarlo Del Monaco, Keita Asari), starring alongside highly acclaimed singers (Placido Domingo, Renato Bruson, Raina Kabaivanska, Giovanna Casolla, Dolora Zajick, Juan Pons, Roberto Alagna, Ambrogio Maestri).

She has won many international awards, such as “Oscar of Lirica Award”, “Illica Award”, “Juliette Award”, “Kalaidos Award” etc. she got the award as “You Bring Charm to the World Award” in 2015.

Arena of Verona String Quartet

The string quartet of the Arena of Verona springs up from the idea of conveying into chamber language the authentic magic of the Arena the millenary temple where music has enchanted and moved the audience from all over the world for centuries.

The original and deep musical message proposed by the Arena String Quartet expresses the passions, dramas, possible or impossible love stories which are inborn in melodrama; succeeding in this way to transmit the emotions of the atmosphere of Arena, the most beautiful theatre in the world.

GüntherSanin, Mirela Lico, Sara Airoldi and Luca Pozza, trained and specialized in some of the most prestigious international academies, have enlivened the artistic essence of the Orchestra of the Arena of Verona for years. All this turns into a deep and careful knowledge of melodrama that is developed and worked out in music chamber key, thus giving origin to a new musical formula which is both refined, elegant and lively and innovatory. From lyrical music essence new perfumes and atmosphere spring out, which are like small art gems respectful of the text and of the author’s original idea, and idea that in this way is cherished by refined and gentle sonorities.

Besides all this, the Arena of Verona string Quartet interpreters the best known repertoires of the most important classic, romantic and contemporary authors most enthusiastically.

SAVITRI GRIER, Piano

He studied with Fabrizio Garilli at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” of Milan, graduating in 1988 at the Conservatory “G. Rossini” in Pesaro with the highest grades, honors and special mention.

Considered “Child Prodigy” with excellent communication skills, at the age of 12 years he played the part of Giuseppe Verdi in the television drama film directed by Renato Castellani; at 14 years old he made his debut with the orchestra of the “Angelicum” of Milan. At 16 in the SALA VERDI with Liszt’s Hungarian Fantasy directed by Vittorio Parisi. At 17 years his performance of Liszt’s Totentanz in SALA VERDI with the orchestra of the RADIOTELEVISION in Milan is greeted by 15 minutes of applause and rave.

He has participated in approximately 150 national and international competitions always finishing near the top, including the First Prize at the Neglia of ENNA, the First Prize at the “Chopin” in Rome etc. He appeared as a soloist with various orchestras such as Angelicum, Pomeriggi Musicali,“RAI”in Milan, Dvorak Prague Symphony Orchestra etc.

Roberto Corliano is often invited in juries of national and international competitions and masterclasses in Italy and abroad. He is Professor of Piano at the Conservatory “T. Schipa”in Lecce.