The incomparable Siberian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky — best known for his Verdi roles — is joined by rising star soprano Asmik Grigorian and other notable...

The incomparable Siberian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky — best known for his Verdi roles — is joined by rising star soprano Asmik Grigorian and other notable singers in a gripping album of Russian arias and scenes that marks his return to the operatic masterpieces of his homeland.

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REVIEW:

There is much to enjoy here. The magical opening from Prokofiev’s War and Peace finds him in terrific form, moving from dejection to hope as he overhears Natasha sing of her joy in life.

This is followed by excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa and Iolanta. More intriguing are two arias from Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades. Hvorostovsky, 53, made his Metropolitan Opera debut in that work in 1995 as the lovesick Prince Yeletsky, but here he takes on the role of the brash, cynical Count Tomsky, with invigorating results.

Best is the finale of The Demon by Anton Rubinstein. With its long melodic lines, the music is particularly well-suited to Hvorostovsky’s talents.

– AP (Mike Silverman)