Now celebrating his twentieth year of distinguished operatic achievements, this collection of arias from mostly “Verismo” operas features tenor Marcelo Alvarez delivering high-impact accounts of both popular and lesser-known selections by masters such as Puccini, Leoncavallo, Giordano, Mascagni and Massenet. + You will also hear – possibly for the first time – a fascinating array of choice rarities by Verismo-era composers (Gomes, Cilea, Zandonai, and Halévy) who were prominent in their day, but whose music has since fallen into comparative neglect. + Maestro Constantine Orbelian – leading the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra – provides the necessary and important support. + “Marcelo Alvarez gave his usual passionate and thrilling performance ... taking advantage of his beautiful voice by phrasing the musical lines with elegance.” - Ingrid Haas

While greatly revered in Russia, the profound and beautiful music of neo-romantic composer Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998) is hardly known beyond his homeland's borders. His predominantly vocal output reflects his strong affinity for many of the finest Russian poets, who inspired him to compose highly idiomatic music to match the emotional intensity and expressive passion of their verses. Thus did Sergei Yesenin's vivid and moving poetry spark the creation of the stunning twelve-song cycle Russia Cast Adrift. Legendary baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky developed especially strong personal and artistic bonds with Sviridov in the composer's final years, compelling Sviridov to composer specifically for him. Dmitri infuses Sviridov's songs with the same emotional intensity, musical insight and sheer vocal glory that have distinguished his many earlier Delos releases. Joining Dmitri in this world premiere recording of the orchestral version are his long-time collaborators Constantine Orbelian, conducting the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, and the Russian folk music ensemble Style of Five.