First Three Recordings Offer Verdi, Neapolitan Songs and Russian Folk Favorites
Los Angeles, California, 28 August 2001 - Famed Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, acknowledged by critics as one of the greatest voices of all time and adored by audiences the world over, has signed to leading American independent label Delos Records for three new solo recordings. In addition he will record one of his signature opera roles, Prince Yeletsky, in a disc of Great Scenes from Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades.
Of the signing, Delos President Amelia Haygood said, "It is a joy to work with Dmitri! He is at the peak of his powers as an artist, and we want to enable him to spread his wings in the recording arena and soar to new heights -- wherever his artistic vision takes him. When Dmitri tackles a project, it is with total commitment and intense preparation. Then in the sessions he is free to make each take a performance. The experience is a memorable one for us all."
Dmitri's first release for Delos is Passione Di Napoli, a blockbuster of Neapolitan songs including such evergreen favorites as O Sole Mio and Santa Lucia. Except for recital encores that never fail to bring down the house, this disc represents the first time Dmitri has ventured into this repertoire. Haygood commented, "This recording is the culmination of Dmitri's years of absorbing Neapolitan style and nuances of the dialect, listening to Neapolitan folk singers, and being aware of the singers of the Golden Age who sang this literature. He was bowled over when he learned that my late husband had known Caruso quite well!"
Passione Di Napoli was recorded in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory this past June. Dmitri is partnered by Constantine Orbelian and the newly formed Philharmonia of Russia, a full orchestra combining la creme de la creme of Russian musicians. Passione Di Napoli will be available in the US in September, and in Europe in November. It will be released simultaneously in both CD and SACD formats.
No less enterprising is Dmitri's second recording for Delos, a disc of Verdi arias, ranging from familiar operas such as Otello, Rigoletto, and Il Trovatore, to the lesser-known Stiffelio and I Masnadieri. He is accompanied by Verdi specialist Mario Bernardi. The CD represents his taking on two new Verdi roles during the 2001-02 season, the first being Rigoletto with the Houston Grand Opera in October and November, then the Count in Il Trovatore with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in April. Dmitri's debut appearance in the role of Rigoletto took place at the New Opera in Moscow in December 2000.
Dmitri returns to home territory in his third solo album for Delos, a disc of Russian folk songs, once again accompanied by Constantine Orbelian, this time leading the Moscow Chamber Orchestra combined with a traditional Russian ensemble, the Style of Five. The Style of Five's virtuoso players specialize in the balalaika, double-bass balalaika, domra, gusli and bayan. This repertoire is very close to Dmitri's heart; his father has an extensive collection of traditional Russian songs, and introduced many of these to Dmitri when he was a young boy. Most of the songs originated in the 19th and early 20th centuries and are extremely popular in the singer's homeland. Dmitri's parents will attend the recording sessions, which will take place in Moscow in August.
All three of Dmitri's new recordings for Delos are a reflection of his enthusiasm for exploring all corners of the repertory. He has long wanted to commit this diverse range of repertoire to disc. "It's not only a privilege for me to continue recording," comments Dmitri, "but working with Delos has been wonderful. They are incredibly accommodating of my ideas, and have the highest artistic standards I can imagine. That means I can go into the studio and really concentrate on making great music. And Constantine is a dream to work with, not only easy but a delight and fun!"
Dmitri's recording arrangement with Delos coincides with an impressive range of performances in the coming season, including the above-mentioned Rigoletto and Il Trovatore, and Don Carlos and War and Peace at New York's Metropolitan Opera. In addition, he gives a Carnegie Hall recital of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff in December, and the premiere of a new work by Kancheli with the San Francisco Symphony in May.