Dmitri Hvorostovsky has passed away. A gorgeous and world-famous opera baritone, a beautiful and courageous man of noble beauty. He was only 55 years old. In the full bloom of his life. Unbelievably talented, he conquered the art scene in countless countries around the world. And he also helped many people through difficult times, he comforted millions of people and warmed them with his beautiful voice.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky fought with his ailment until his very last moments, but the terrible illness was insurmountable.
President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the singer's relatives and friends.
A farewell to Dmitri Hvorostovsky will be held tomorrow in Moscow. The funeral will be held on Tuesday at the Novodevichy Cemetery, near Chaliapin’s grave.
Today, we remember Hvorostovsky, the famous, and the unknown. I give the floor to Ilya Phillippov.
A place at the Novodevichy Cemetery, where the legends of opera lie, Sergei Lemeshev and Irina Arkhipova. Composer Sviridov, with whom Hvorostovsky loved to work, is also here. There is also Feodor Chaliapin. Hvorostovsky is often compared to him. There are a lot of similarities: a unique voice, a broad soul, and nationwide adoration.
Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Bavarian, Vienna, La Scala. These days, the main music scenes of the world give tribute to the memory of the great baritone. London's Royal Covent Garden played Rigoletto dedicated to Dmitri Hvorostovsky, which he himself prepared.
And tomorrow, on the Rossiya 1 channel, we’ll watch one of his best concerts, everyone’s favorite "Songs of the War Years".
The song: "Dark night, only bullets are whistling in the steppe, Only the wind is wailing through the wires, stars are faintly flickering".
Moscow. Live. Hvorostovsky's concert program "Songs of the War Years" was made at the table at which Dmitri was sitting with his parents and conductor Konstantin Orbelyan, his friend.
Konstantin Orbelyan, conductor, Hvorostovsky's friend: "In my life, everything is related to the War. Without it, my parents wouldn’t have met. Without the war, they wouldn’t have settled in Germany, and without the war, probably, I wouldn’t have been born. Dmitri would often say that these war songs were always in the family. His grandfather died on the front during the first days of the war".
One night, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and his father picked out 25 songs for recording. A year later, in 2004, the concert took place on the Red Square. And by the 60th anniversary of the Victory, the singer went on a tour of the hero-cities, such as St. Petersburg, Smolensk, and Volgograd.
A Veteran: "Magnificent women, veterans, with tears in their eyes said, "Thank you, our dear Dimochka".
The whole orchestra was crying, the whole choir was crying, and he was standing and saying beautiful words that were had such an impact on everyone. The song: “And to the warrior on the faraway border, pass on Katusha's greetings. And to the warrior on the faraway border, pass on Katusha's greetings.”
Denis Matsuev, pianist: "Many people were wondering how an opera singer could sing such songs, legendary, brilliant ones. And he sang them absolutely not opera-like, do you understand? He found some special feature, some hidden key to these outstanding songs".
Our TV channel broadcasted all of Hvorostovsky’s large concerts in Russia. Military songs performed by Hvorostovsky sounded in 2015 on the 70th anniversary of the Victory on May 9, in the open air at VDNH, where there were 245,000 spectators.
And on the 29th, Dmitri learned about his diagnosis.
Valery Gergiev, Mariinsky Theater Director: "He was gifted by God. He was hardworking, he strived for perfection. He was fit, he took care of himself, he always looked gorgeous. And even while struggling with this terminal illness, he had a smile and courage".
A charity event called "Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Friends for Children" at the Bolshoi Theater was held to help sick children.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky: "It's terrible to see suffering in the eyes of a child and in general in the eyes of a person. When a face lights up with a cheerful smile, that is the main thing for which we need to live and make an effort".
The song: "A song sounds and is not to be heard In those quiet evenings".
Hibla Gerzmava, singer: "We sang our favorite song Podmoskovnye Vechera quietly together. This song, in my opinion, is loved by everyone. And it felt very sincere back then. And thank you, Lord, that there are his recordings, that there’s a memory that we can see today".
Vladimir Spivakov, conductor: "He was extremely sincere in everything. In life, on the stage, how he behaved, including with friends. And sincerity, from my point of view, is a revelation of the heart".
His last concert was held in June in his native Krasnoyarsk, where he brought his friends, the stars of the world opera, where he couldn’t help coming.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky: "I had to come back. Because I love you. Because this is my hometown. My performances make me move on, forward. Thank you, many thanks!"
Hvorostovsky bequeathed in his will that part of his ashes be buried here, in Siberia, at home.
