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I saw him many times in operas and in recital. Not just one of the great voices of our times, but also a great artist (probably more so in recital). I remember in particular a memorable concert of Russian song at the Barbican accompanied by Kissin.
He was also a generous and unselfish artist. I spoke to him in Vienna when RCA released a recording of his proms performance of the Songs and Dances of Death and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances with the St Petersburg Phil and Termikanov. He had not seen the CD cover before and was outraged that he had been given higher billing than Temirkanov by the record company.
"I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."
Lady Bracknell The importance of Being Earnest
Dmitri Hvorostovsky has died. This was one announcement that I really didn't want to believe and had to check it out. It seems he'd been in a hospice in London.
What a genius Dmitri was on the concert stage and opera house, and his singing gave me so much pleasure and owing to his impressive legacy of recordings his singing will continue to do so. I notice that the Delos label had just released a recording of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' with Dmitri in the title role.
His death is such sad news! I'm feeling it particularly hard as I have cancer myself and I'm waiting for more treatment. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Sad, sad news, indeed. I recall his win as Cardiff Singer of the World, with Bryn Terfel as his competitor,
Shrewdly, Wm Lyne, manager of the Wigmore Hall at the time instantly booked him for a Wigmore recital within a week of the prize.
I was among the early morning queue at the Hall as the concert sold out within a few hours. A tremendous platform presence and
a speedy rise to international status. A lovely sense of hauteur, too; even required an assistent to announce that he was
ready to continue after the interval break. Real class! RIP Dmitri Hvorostovsky
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