“It was a return to the stage that some feared would never happen again,” writes Michael Cooper in Monday’s (5/8) New York Times. “Last year the beloved Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky withdrew from staged opera—including a run of ‘Eugene Onegin’ performances at the Metropolitan Opera—because of a brain tumor…. Mr. Hvorostovsky made a surprise return to the Met on Sunday night…. Hvorostovsky’s success at an April 25 concert in Toronto … led Peter Gelb, general manager of the Met, to invite him to appear at the company’s gala celebrating its 50 years at Lincoln Center…. The two men kept it quiet: Mr. Hvorostovsky’s health has been unpredictable, and he was forced to cancel several recitals this year…. Jessica Phillips, a clarinet player, said that even musicians who were not performing … crowded into the pit to pay their respects…. Mr. Hvorostovsky, 54, strode out, squared his feet and bent over, suggesting Rigoletto [and] sang a searing, poignant ‘Cortigiani, vil razza dannata.’ When it was over the audience cheered him with a long standing ovation.” Gelb said Hvorostovsky told him on Monday that the performance “had given him new life, and hope.” The article includes video.
Posted May 9, 2017
