Delos Diary
Thursday, April 29
Jackie Gleason Theater
Miami, Florida
Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Constantine Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra came to Florida, sang, played, and conquered, judging from reviews which appeared on May 3rd in the Miami Herald and Miami Sun-Sentinel.
A few excerpted quotes will illustrate what we mean.
Concerning Hvorostovsky: “his super-human breath control, his honeyed-sound, his legato subtle dynamic shadings and portamento, all placed in the service of musical expression at its most sublime … in Handel’s popular “Ombra mai fu” from Serse, Hvorostovsky’s column of sound was almost impossibly rich, stunning in every sense.”
“It was hard not to be moved by the singer’s intensity. And his way with a set of soulful Russian romances and another, even more soulful, set of Italian chestnuts had the crowd cheering with joy.”
“The silver haired Siberian swain …sang with his customary firm line and tonal refinement.” “In Russian romances, Hvorostovsky is unassailable.”
“… Hvorostovsky’s burnished singing and plangent tautly-focused expression starkly conveyed the world-weary essence of the song’s mournful stoicism.”
And the following comments on Orbelian and the MCO:
“Constantine Orbelian supported his soloist with superbly refined and well-blended orchestral playing. The pianist-turned conductor has grown into a very fine musician and clearly enjoys a strong rapport with his players.”
“Everything from the seductive oboes to the sensual strings, (Orbelian’s orchestra decidedly does not go for the cold vibrato-less sound of most Western chamber ensembles) gave notice of a contemporary sensibility looking back at our musical past with a smile.”
Much of what thrilled the Floridians is available to you on Delos CDs — Hvorostovsky, Orbelian and the MCO —in all their glory.
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