Hvorostovsky

For his first CD release on Ondine, star baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky has chosen art song repertoire of great intensity and emotion from his Russian home country. The 26 romances by Sergei Rachmaninov on this disc include such popular songs as Spring waters, op.14/11 or In the silence of the mysterious night, op.4/3.

This disc, originally recorded in 1997, has been issued in various forms; the current Arie Antiche (Antique Arias) title is better than the British release that bestowed upon the program the wimpy title of Dmitri Hvorostovsky Sings Classical Arias. Most of the arias are Baroque, not Classical, and a few come from early in the Baroque era territory on which few mainstream operatic vocalists have dared to tread.

Known for captivating song recitals, lyrical performances of Verdi baritone roles, and, not least of all, his striking silver hair, Dmitri Hvorostovsky enjoyed an A-list career since he emerged in the early 1990s. His brilliant, yet deceptively dark-hued voice is the embodiment of chiaroscuro, and the combination of vocal polish and emotion that he brought to his performances made him an audience favorite.

This second release of star baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky for Ondine features Russian Lieder by Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Taneyev. Dmitri Hvorostovsky is recognized as one of the leading and most charismatic baritones of our time, performing internationally at such opera houses as the New York Met, and partnering regularly with singers Renée Fleming and Jonas Kaufmann. Together with his longstanding duo partner, Estonian pianist Ivari Ilja, they have frequently performed to great critical acclaim.

Two of the biggest names in opera join forces for a live performance from historic Red Square in the heart of Moscow, captured in stunning sound and vision with 18 high definition cameras and 5.1 cinema surround sound. Recorded at a superb live concert on 19 June 2013, Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky return to their native Russia, singing a brilliant programme of popular arias and duets from some of the world’s best-loved operas, including Tosca, Eugene Onegin, and, celebrating Verdi's bicentenary, Il trovatore.