Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Derek McGovern
Hvorostovsky, who's often photographed in snug T-shirts, his silver hair tousled, is surprisingly affable for a superstar. Although he refers once to "the common people who have no idea about opera," he's humble enough to admit that he didn't come to opera after hearing Renato Bruson singing Verdi or seeing Tito Gobbi as Scarpia in Tosca. "It was Mario Lanza," he says of the American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the '40s and '50s. "He had a thrilling voice, and the first time I heard him, I thought, I want to sing like that."
Savage
Vincent Di Placido
Savage
Derek, the a capella folk song is almost hypnotic in its intensity. great choice!
leeann
During a recent whirlwind tour of Hvorostovsky on YouTube, it was kind of fun to hear 1990 concert selections: a part of Pieta Signore and Gia, il sole dal gange.
We talk so often about changes in Lanza's voice over time, why they happened, and how they were and weren't typical--and how the tenor voice matures. I wonder what the path of the baritone is over time and how Hvorostovsky is negotiating it.
Armando
Hi Lee Ann: All voices, with few exceptions, tend to get darker as they age. I suspect Hvorostovsky’s will undergo the same process. I heard him in Rigoletto in 2005. His was then and still is a lyric baritone voice with an easy top, not huge in volume but with a dark colouring which he used to good advantage even back in 1990.
Cheers,
Armando
Derek McGovern
Armando
Hi Derek: I was equally shocked to read the news on ‘Slipped Disk.’ We wish him a speedy recovery.
Derek McGovern
The Russian baritone, who has cancelled all summer appearances while he receives treatment in London for a brain tumour, turned up last night (Sunday) at the Russian ambassador’s residence to give a recital.
A Russian music site reports that he told the guests that, in 20 years of living in London, he had never been to the embassy and he wanted to repair the omission. ‘I don’t want to tell you about the details and difficulties of my treatment,’ he added, ‘but I wanted to be together with all of you, because I really missed you.’
He went on to sing arias by Borodin, Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov.
leeann
Following a positive round of ongoing treatments, Dmitri [Hvorostovsky] looks forward to returning to the stage this month for three performances of Il Trovatore at The Metropolitan Opera September 25, 29, and October 3.
Confirmation from Dmitri Hvorostovsky's home page and the consummate Opera News.
It seems treatments are going well, but they are not finished. He's not planning to appear in October because the medical procedures will continue.
And for those who visit Facebook from time-to-time: https://www.facebook.com/Hvorostovsky?fref=photo
Armando
Thanks, Lee Ann, that’s great news. Hang in there Dima!
Derek McGovern
Derek McGovern
Derek McGovern
Derek McGovern
Steff Walzinger
From his FB site:
“On behalf of the Hvorostovsky family, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dmitri Hvorostovsky – beloved operatic baritone, husband, father, son, and friend – at age 55. After a two-and-a-half-year battle with brain cancer, he died peacefully this morning, November 22, surrounded by family near his home in London, UK. May the warmth of his voice and his spirit always be with us.”
Mario Lanza was an early inspiration for Dmitri Hvorostovsky:
“Hvorostovsky, who's often photographed in snug T-shirts, his silver hair tousled, is surprisingly affable for a superstar. Although he refers once to "the common people who have no idea about opera," he's humble enough to admit that he didn't come to opera after hearing Renato Bruson singing Verdi or seeing Tito Gobbi as Scarpia in Tosca. ‘It was Mario Lanza," he says of the American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the '40s and '50s. "He had a thrilling voice, and the first time I heard him, I thought, I want to sing like that.’ (quoted from http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/opera-superstar-dmitri-hvorostovsky-to-take-orpheum-stage-6451807
“He recounts his addiction to records by Caruso, a Neapolitan and one who did much to popularize the repertoire [Neapolitan song] Tito Schipa was another early model. ‘But the biggest influence early on was Mario Lanza. He was born in the United States, but came from a Neapolitan family. My parents used to tell me about his films, which were shown in the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 60s. They weren’t available by the time I was old enough to see them, but at least I had the records.” (Taken from the liner notes by George Loomis for the album “Dimitri Hvorostovsky – Passione di Napoli)
"Ja, klassische Musik hat immer zu meinem Leben gehört. Mein Vater spielte in seiner Freizeit Piano und hatte eine sehr schöne Singstimme. Im Wohnzimmer gab es einen Schrank voller Schallplatten, ich wuchs mit Schaljapin, Caruso und Mario Lanza auf.“
Translation: Yes, classical music has always been a part of my life. During leisure time my father would play the piano. He had a lovely singing voice. In the living room there was a cabinet full of records. I grew up with Schaljapin, Caruso and Mario Lanza.” (Taken from an interview for “Crescendo” from October 2008 http://www.crescendo.de/interview-dmitri-hvorostovsky-19350/ )
Steff