In the September issue of Gramophone (out now) you can read Hugo Shirley's special report from the recording sessions of Verdi's Aida, a no-expense-spared grand opera recording starring Anja Harteros and Jonas Kaufmann with the Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, conducted by Antonio Pappano. As Pappano says in the feature: 'Operas in the studio are no longer being made – or are only being made very rarely. So to convince Warner and to find the dosh and all that stuff, that’s been a struggle. But with this cast? And in Italy? You have to ask yourself why certain recordings are made, but I think with this one that it’s a no-brainer.’

In the video below you can enjoy Harteros's performance of 'O Patria mia' in a recording taken from the sessions in Rome:

Verdi's Aida will be released on October 2. For more information, visit www.warnerclassics.com