The opera world has been rocked by the news that Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the golden-haired “Elvis of Opera”, has died this morning at the age of 55.
Diagnosed in June 2015, Hvorostovsky had been in London receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital for a malignant brain tumour.
The announcement came on Hvorostovsky’s official Facebook page.
After his diagnosis, Hvorostovsky cancelled all his performances to dedicate himself to treatment. Between treatments, he made three rare appearances, including one in Toronto this past April.
The event was billed “Trio Magnifico” and was presented by Show One Productions founder and producer Svetlana Dvoretsky. According to Ludwig Van’s Opera Editor Joseph So, it was “the most exciting event in the Toronto 2016-17 opera season, and certainly one of the most memorable, ever.”
Before that, he was at Koerner Hall, on February 22, 2016.
Billed as “Dmitri and Friends”, his final public appearance final appearance was a recital at Austria’s Grafenegg Festival in June 2017.
Tributes have been rolling in via twitter all morning.
Gutted to the bone. A charming singer with a greatness that will immortalize his artistry. #hvorostovsky… https://t.co/kWoGrmpDeb
— Joseph Calleja (@MalteseTenor) November 22, 2017
Dmitri Hvorostovsky wird uns im Gedächtnis bleiben als ein Ausnahmekünstler, der immer hundert Prozent gegeben hat – und als Mensch, der uns mit seinem Lachen, seiner Freude, seiner Warmherzigkeit und seiner Positivität bereichert hat.https://t.co/V8qGtTVAJA pic.twitter.com/oHNnDWVbyi
— Wiener Staatsoper (@WrStaatsoper) November 22, 2017
Desperately sad that @Hvorostovsky is no longer with us. His beautiful silken voice will always be heart- wrenchingly gorgeous. https://t.co/Dtgy2Je8jE
— Sarah Connolly (@spconnolly) November 22, 2017
Dmitri Hvorostovsky (1962–2017)
The opera world has lost one of its leading artists, and he will be sorely missed.https://t.co/TqrhGyIApg
— The Royal Opera (@TheRoyalOpera) November 22, 2017
Today I have that feeling, the same feeling I got when I heard of Pavarotti’s passing. That sombre feeling. Opera Stars bigger than life itself, and this time, @Hvorostovsky. Rest In Peace. #OperaWorld
— Eleazar Rodríguez (@TheMexicanTenor) November 22, 2017
Just two months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Hvorostovsky with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the IV degree.
The Kremlin has issued the following statement:
“The president extends his deepest condolences to the relatives, friends and fans of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who passed away today,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “In general, we believe he is the heritage of both our domestic culture and global culture. This is a very grievous loss.”
Dmitri Hvorostovsky leaves behind a wife and four children.
#LUDWIGVAN
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