Delos Diary
Always fascinated by things Russian, especially people, places and events in its long, colorful and often tragic history, I have been reading the reissue of Prince Felix Yusupov’s memoir entitled Lost Splendor. Yusupov, to refresh your memory, was the fabulously wealthy young Russian nobleman chiefly responsible for the murder — or assassination if you will — of Rasputin, the evil genius-starets-monk, who exerted hypnotic and disastrous influence over the last tsar and tsarina of Russia.
In the course of retelling his riveting story, Prince Yusupov reveals that he would often entertain his noble friends by singing old Russian romances, folksongs and gypsy tunes, accompanying himself on the guitar. He must have had a pleasant voice, since his guests kept requesting more. Even the doomed Rasputin, on the actual night of his murder, asked for and listened happily to Prince Felix singing some of his favorite songs, as he munched on an assortment of poisoned cookies.
What a coup it would have been if this fatal serenade had been recorded! I hesitate to suggest my listening choice as the next best thing but its very possible that some of the very same old Russian romances Yusupov sang on that fatal night in 1916 are included among those offered by baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky on Delos’ I Met You, My Love (DE 3293).
Rather than guitar, Hvorostovsky is accompanied by the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the Style of Five folk ensemble conducted by Constantine Orbelian. This entire group would have been a tight fit in Yusupov’s basement apartment, but they definitely add a rich veneer to Hvorostovsky’s traversal of these traditional Russian gems.
Cookies and wine would go quite well while listening to this recording. Just be sure you test them on the dog or cat first.
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