MasterClass Monday: Celebrating The Musical Legacy Of Three Singers Who Left Us All Too Soon During This Past Week: Part Two: Russian Operatic Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky

November 27, 2017 by Masterclass Lady Comments Off on MasterClass Monday: Celebrating The Musical Legacy Of Three Singers Who Left Us All Too Soon During This Past Week: Part Two: Russian Operatic Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky


MasterClass Monday: Celebrating The Musical Legacy Of Singers Who Left Is All Too Soon During This Past Week: Part Two: Russian Operatic Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Look at that face. How charismatic is this talented man? This face could have graced the pages of fashion magazines or illuminated the silver screen through a career in the movies..

But, sometimes, how one looks pales in comparison to how one sounds. And for Russian Operatic Superstar Dimitri Hvorostovsky, this statement became all too true from the moment he opened his mouth to sing. His voice was the stuff of legends, his technical prowess and artistic intuition impeccable and astounding to hear. Every time he opened his mouth it was a “what the what“moment for the listener and viewer.

Sadly, last week, Dimitri died after a very valiant fight with brain cancer. He was only 55 years young. Gone too soon but leaving a musical legacy that many can only dream of. We lost one of the greats, folks!

Life wasn’t always kind to Dimitri Hvorostovsky. As a teenager, he became involved with street gangs in Siberia and yet somehow escaped the isolation of this rough, grim life and found a career as singer. And battled alcoholism to boot!

His father was responsible for refocusing his life on a musical career and he quickly gained prominence through his naturally beautiful voice and passionate musical artistry .

In fact, the Italian art of bel canto singing, which he so incorporated into his singing style, was self – taught by avidly listening to classic recordings. He became the poster child for the art of bel canto singing – those long sustained phrases, his even vocal range and super controlled breathing skills became the envy of the classical music world. Either you have it or you don’t and he most definitely had it all.

Listen to this exhilarating version of Toreador from the opera Carmen as performed by Dimitri Hvorostovsky during the Last Night Of The Proms 2014. Oh. My. Word. The man barely takes a breath during the Toreador refrain. His phrasing is so seamless and elongated and, through it all, his voice sounds beautifully and evenly focused and resonant. This is a MasterClass in Vocal Technique. That relaxed jaw, the open facial expression, the relaxed, yet expressive physicality of his demeanour all come together to create a uniquely memorable performance of this much loved classic.

And please do yourself a favour by either streaming his music on Apple Music or downloading it on ITunes Music.

On behalf of the MCL Community, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dimitri Hvorostovsky. May he Rest In Peace.

Classical Music, Dmitri Hvorostovsky,, Masterclass Monday, Opera, RIP, Singing, Videos
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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