by Paul J. Pelkonen
Singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Photo from his website
This morning, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky announced that he is withdrawing from fully staged opera performances "for the foreseeable future."In a letter addressed to his "friends, fans and colleagues," the silver-haired Siberian baritone stated that he has developed balance problems due to his illness. The singer has been battling a malignant brain tumor since last year and has undergone extensive therapy for his cancer.
This means that New York's opera lovers will not get to see the singer paired with soprano Anna Netrebko in the forthcoming spring revival of the Met production Eugene Onegin. The singers collaborated on a 2015 staging of Il Trovatore which proved to be the hottest ticket of that year.
The full text of Mr. Hvorostovsky's letter is posted below.
To all my friends, fans and colleagues: It is with great sadness that I must withdraw from opera performances for the foreseeable future. I have been experiencing balance issues associated with my illness, making it extremely difficult for me to perform in staged productions. I will continue to give concerts and recitals as well as make recordings. Singing is my life, and I want to continue bringing joy to people worldwide. With this pause in my operatic career and more rest in between each engagement, I hope to have more time to focus on my health and treatment. Thank you for all your love, messages and well wishes. Your support is felt and means the world to me. With love, DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY At Superconductor, we would like to wish Mr. Hvorostovsky strength for his recovery, and hope to see him back on the stage as soon as he is able.
