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DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY Obituary
The Met mourns the untimely loss of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the great Russian baritone, who died last night at age 55 after a battle with brain cancer. Dmitri was a beloved figure at the Met and one of the world's most extraordinary operatic artists. He gave more than 180 Met performances since his 1995 debut in Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades as Prince Yeletsky, a role that showcased his burnished sound and remarkable breath control. In his more than 20 years with the Met, he gave unforgettable performances of Germont in La Traviata, Andrei in War and Peace, Rodrigo in Don Carlo, Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera, Count di Luna in Il Trovatore, and the title roles of Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, and Eugene Onegin, among others. Just last May, while suffering from a brain tumor, Dmitri gave a heroic surprise appearance at the Met's 50th Anniversary Gala to the thrill of the audience, the company, and all his fellow artists. "Dmitri was one of opera's all-time greats, truly an artist for the ages," said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. "In addition to his astounding vocal gifts, he had an electrifying stage presence and a charisma that won over both his adoring audiences and his devoted colleagues. He will be sorely missed by the entire Metropolitan Opera family." The Met sends deepest condolences to Dmitri's wife, Florence, and his four children, Maxim, Nina, Alexandra, and Daniel. Peter Gelb, General Manager James Levine, Music Director Emeritus Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Music Director Designate Ann Ziff, Chairman Judith-Ann Corrente, President & CEO
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Memories and Condolences
for DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY
Subir Guin
May 9, 2024
A vocal giant like no other. Tragically, he was taken away much too soon. His commanding presence and unbelievable charisma lives on, thanks to video and other recordings. He has made Krasnoyarsk a sacred spot on the world map.
Dimitria Penelope Letsos
November 17, 2022
I adored and cherished Dmitri´s voice to the world! I still find it very hard to believe he´s no longer on this earth and how I wish he was at this current time to give a voice to the tragedies of the war going on in Ukraine and maybe bring some peace to the world to his voice!
Dimitria Letsos
November 18, 2019
Our Dear Dmitri.....
I still feel the immense loss of you on our earth and planet! Your voice reverberates yet in many I am sure and I pray your journey has been a peaceful one after your hard fought battle which took you from us all!
Your voice is missed by us all and we need someone with your great talent to keep this world moving forward in beauty always and only reminding us all that life must be lived and always shared...your voice did that for us all! If the heavens could open up and grace us with your voice once more we would be so blessed!!! Our world is less vibrant without you among us!
Blessings to your family and children!
Dimitria Letsos
Velimira Predojevi
December 11, 2017
Thank you for all the beautiful songs and roles in the opera. You will always stay in my heart forever. Thanks for staying there. Rest in peace.
Linda Gruenberg
December 3, 2017
Blessings on you in heavenly Elysian Fields, singing the heck out of everything.
Linda Gruenberg
December 3, 2017
I was lucky enough to hear Dima at LA Opera in recitals, and meet him after one of his memorable recitals. I was recovering from seriousnsurgerybatbthe time, and knowing thatbinhad a ticket to see him in recital at LA Opera kept me going, kept my spirits high throughout my surgery and recovery. I can't believe that he is gone from the earthly plane.
He was gracious and beautifu when Imgotmto meet him, shake his hand, and thank,him for his gift of the Russian soul to all of us in the world.....his voice , to me, is the most beautiful male voice I have ever heard, or will care to hear.My deepest condolences to all of his beautiful family. Please be comforted by knowing how many people around the globe are inspired by Dima,
his presence and memory, his life example, and his spiritual beauty that shone forth with brilliance. I don't have words to say how sad and bereft all of us fans feel, left here on earth, without his heavenly voice and all-encompassing smile of love.
Erifili Manolatou
December 2, 2017
Great artist so handsome
how sad he left us so soon! My deep condolences to his family!
Jerome and Elizabeth Berkelhamer
November 29, 2017
Many years ago on a lovely summer evening we sat in a courtyard in Aix -en-Provence and heard a young man with silver hair and a gorgeous baritone voice sing Russian songs. It was one of the most memorable musical experiences of our lives, and from that time on, every time Dmitri Hvorostovsky sang in Chicago, we were in the audience. His final performance at the Lyric in 2016 demonstrated not only his magnificent talent, but also his courage and strength. We send our condolences to his family.
Dimitria Letsos
November 28, 2017
He was a rare man filled with such elegant talent and lived life from within......the world grew to life this man of immense talent! He filled the world with his greatness only few truly possess! May his family remain strong on their loss and carry his legacy onward true to his name and the way he honored his given talents! May his lovely wife and amazing four children hold him near and dear and carry themselves strong in his name! Blessed journey wonderful man who blessed us all with your greatness! My soul shall miss you! Dimitria Letsos Burlingame, California
Margarita Tirs
November 27, 2017
Memory Eternal.
Maria Valdemi
November 26, 2017
I mourn not just the man but the great
talent that not merely filled the opera
houses but filled the world. There
was always something about his voice
that shared the love he had for the
music with us all. I shall miss him but I shall never forget him.
Jeanne Bossé
November 26, 2017
The loss of Dimitri Hvorostovsky leaves such a painful void. I kept hoping against hope that such a powerful force could survive the demon cancer. How ironic that he was taken from us on the feast of Saint Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music... This was a uniquely gifted artist whose live performances we could have had enjoyed for decades. But he left us with indelible memories and I am thankful for all the roles he brought to the Metropolitan Opera and for his Carnegie Hall concerts. I hope there is an opportunity to pay tribute to this great talent at a New York memorial concert.
Spasibo vam vsegda, Dimitri. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest and your family find some consolation in your example of strength and courage. Requiem Aeternam.
beverly bernstein
November 26, 2017
a voice for the ages. b. Bernstein Delavan Wi.
Edward Gallagher
November 26, 2017
VECHNAYA PAMYAT!!
MEMORY ETERNAL!!
Chad Karl
November 26, 2017
I am very sad to hear this news. It is actually more sadness than what words can express.
Veneranda from Montreal with the white rose for Dmitiri at his recital in Toronto, Feb. 16, 2016.
veneranda kreipans wilson
November 25, 2017
I first discovered Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the Met's production of Il Travatore, was so moved by the white roses the musicians threw to him.. and his emotional response. I have followed him ever since, and was fortunate to hear his recital in Toronto on Feb. 16, 2016 where I had the opportunity to hand him a white rose. The tragic loss of such an exceptional voice, and his warmth to his fans, is heartbreaking for me and all of his fans. At the same time I offer my condolences to Florence and their children, as well as to his parents in Siberia. I hope that the love they shared will help them through this tragedy. Bless you, Dmitri. We love you.
Ellen Nenner
November 25, 2017
Unbelievable to have lost him. A consummate artist who gave the world hours and hours of great beauty and musical insight. There will not be another like him.
Susan Downing
November 25, 2017
My husband and I were privileged to hear Mr. Hvorostovsky sing in recital twice for the Schubert Club International Artist Series in Saint Paul, Minnesota. How truly thrilling it was to see him in person with his wonderful smile and magnificent mane of hair and to hear his extraordinary baritone voice! Those evenings with him remain several of the most outstanding musical memories we have. Condolences to his family, his colleagues and all around the world who will miss him.
dobro hrvatska
November 25, 2017
The world weeps
Hugh M Green
November 25, 2017
Of all people in the music world DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY is one of the most powerful operatic baritones in recorded history. We have lost a wonderful and talented man and for him to be taken from us at such an early age is a sad loss for the entire music world. His name will live on as an operatic and concert Verdi baritone with one of the most beautiful, yet gently flowing but yet having the extreme power that is demanded of many operatic baritone roles. I only wish that he was able to have a long lasting career as the late lyric baritone Dietrich-Fischer Dieskau. What wonderful things could Dimitri have accomplished later in life, since even at the age of 55 his voice to me had even more room to fully mature.
Adriana Gutiérrez
November 25, 2017
Hasta este rincón de la tierra llegó la majestuosidad de su voz, su partida ha dolido profundamente y se queda en nuestro corazón. Era el mejor!
Vivirá por siempre en la música, será eterno.
Sentidas condolencias a su esposa, hijos y padres.
Con amor
Adriana.
Ninon Lewis
November 25, 2017
Dévastée par le chagrin , j'offre mes plus vives condoléances à la famille de Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Il ne chantera désormais plus qu'avec les anges et les archanges du paradis qui le protègeront. Vous resterez au plus profond de mon cur et de mon áme. Nous vous aimons tant
Carrolle Rinaldi
November 25, 2017
Always gave amazing acting/singing gifts in every role. What a voice and what an inspiration when he appeared at the Met Gala! Condolences to his family - his blood family and artists and fans-Thank God for his talent and his warmth & courage-Hope that PBS can rebroadcast one of operas-he will live on in video and CDs to inspire the new generation of singers. from one of his many fans.
November 24, 2017
The world has lost a hero in Opera and in life. His joy in each of his roles, plus his magnificent voice, was unmatched. My sincere condolences to his beloved family. The Opera world is forever in his debt for the pleasure he brought us all.
November 24, 2017
A beautiful man inside and out
November 24, 2017
Desde México, con un gran dolor, mandamos a la Sra. Florence nuestras oraciones. Agradecemos en su presencia, las fortalezas de Dmitri. En el vacio que nos deja, lo recordaremos siempre. Fué nuestra alegia-.
Sanja Dragnic
November 24, 2017
Amazing, wonderful artist and men....to soon to fast Will miss you so much
Raina Steiner
November 24, 2017
We waited for you
And yes, you came back to us
But you could not stay
Forever a part of my heart.
May his loving family find peace in their memories and in the immense love that he inspired.
Dmitri is loved forever.
Maria Gonzalezl
November 23, 2017
My most deepest condolences. I never met Dmitri but I listened to his music. Wonderful!!
BRENDA ZWICKEL
November 23, 2017
Heartbroken. Too young too soon too loved. Will live in my memory forever.
Stanislav Kotyza
November 23, 2017
Dmitri was an absolutely inspiration to me, who brought love and happiness in my life through his singing. His soul was heard and felt through his voice, and I will always remember it.
His voice guided me when the tides of life were low and when they were triumphant. May God welcome him into the gates of heaven with the applause of great musicians and singers who came before him.
Jason Gettinger
November 23, 2017
The finest artist of his type I have ever seen and heard. I think I saw him in each of the roles mentioned by the Met's notice, except Don G. Of course his cancer was incurable, his untimely death expected. I urge all who cherish the memory of Mr. Hvorostovsky to join me in honor him with our next contribution to Memorial Sloan Kettering, which I will earmark for research into glioblastoma and other brain cancers. So fitting that at the MET tomorrow, Verdi requiem.
Bertha van Rensburg
November 23, 2017
An irreplacable loss. I am devestated and very sad about his passing. Thank you Dmitri for many hours of magical listening. Praying for his family and friends
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