New Hvorostovsky Release — Dramatic Performance of "Petersburg"

International opera star Dmitri Hvorostovsky has electrified audiences everywhere. The great baritone is equally celebrated as a recitalist who brings to song literature the same intense emotional commitment, musical insight, and sheer vocal beauty. "Petersburg, a vocal poem" was composed for Mr. Hvorostovsky by the distinguished Russian composer Georgi Sviridov (1915–1998). The texts, by 20th century poet Alexandr Blok, reflect the traumatic state of mind and soul that permeated Russian society in the “Silver Age” of Russian arts and letters preceding World War I. Much celebrated in Russia, Sviridov’s songs and romances are unparalleled in their seamless union of poetry and music. Mr. Hvorostovsky, who has long championed Sviridov’s songs, has chosen the composer’s earliest vocal work as the companion piece for "Petersburg" on this remarkable album — The Six Romances set to words by Alexandr Pushkin, composed in 1935 when the composer was 19.

More about this release...