Many thanks to Opera News for the following great review (excerpted) of Dmitri Hvorostovsky & Sondra Radvanovsky’s newest Delos release “Verdi Opera Scenes”:
“Passion and glamour characterize the singing of both Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Sondra Radvanovsky, so it’s no surprise that when they join forces the “wow” factor is off the charts. Add the superb conductor Constantine Orbelian and the Philharmonia of Russia in front of a live Moscow audience, and the resulting CD of excerpts from Verdi’s operas is a treat not to be missed…
“The opening of Act III of Un Ballo in Maschera takes off with breathtaking immediacy, introducing both voices with the arias “Morrò, ma prima in grazia” and “Eri tu.” Orbelian’s deliberate pacing grants scope to Radvanovsky’s spacious legato and unerring pacing of cadenzas and ornamental figures. “Eri tu” becomes more than just the rant of a jealous husband; it begins in smoldering anger as menacing brasses punctuate the restrained string texture, but Hvorostovsky’s anguish is palpable in his dreamy, quasi-improvised voicing of the reverie “O dolcezze perdute!”…
“Encores include the serenade from Don Giovanni, which Hvorostovsky’s unique vocal production — and a luxuriously unhurried pace — invests with both winning openness and hypnotic danger. Radvanovsky contributes a radiant if somewhat earthy Song to the Moon (from Dvořák’s Rusalka) and a “Vissi d’arte” whose final phrase, stupendously controlled in volume and length, caps a stunning performance.”