Lei Xu
SOPRANO
"The find of the evening was Chinese soprano Lei Xu (Violetta in LA TRAVIATA). This was theatre as much if not more than opera—there was considerably more actual character interaction than is usual—and she held the intimate performing space in her palm. Oh yes, she can sing too. Can she ever sing. This, I suppose, is the reason why those who aren’t wary of opera go to everything they can: one might just hear someone special. One suspects that should we ever be fortunate enough to hear Lei Xu in Hong Kong again, it might be on a rather larger stage."
----- ASIAN REVIEW OF BOOKS
"Lei Xu, a soprano, shone in Handel's “Salve Regina” (HWV 241)"
---- NEW YORK TIMES
"Xu Lei impresses me as a soprano of astounding versatility. She is able to deliver the wide range of Verdian characters with such an ease that it seems these roles were actually written for her. In Rigoletto, her Gilda is virtually impeccable, complemented by acting of equal elegance and a dominant stage presence. It's a mesmerizing experience to listen to her live and see her on stage for the first time in opera. A rising star all have to watch."
---- MUSIC WEEKLY
"...she seemed completely in her element in Debussy’s Ariettes Oubliées. In this set of six love songs, the warmth, fullness and sensuality of her voice, with its focused tone and dead-on intonation, evocatively brought out love’s passions and disappointments."
----- SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL VIEW
"Xu, now in her final year of the program, sang a rousing interpretation of Juliette’s lively love-induced waltz “Je veux vivre” from Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, her lyrical voice blossoming with each virtuosic run."
----- TIME OUT NEWYORK