MusicWeb International‘s Göran Forsling adds to Robert Farr’s Simon Boccanegra review with high praise for Dmitri Hvorostovsky:
“The present recording, set down less than two years ago, boasts today’s foremost Verdi baritone, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, in the title role. …he has retained that initial beauty of tone and the ease of delivery. His top notes still ring out effortlessly and gloriously, just as his velvety tone in softer passages caresses the ear with undiminished freshness. Add to this his superb breath-control and his surefooted sense for musical line and we have the most beautiful reading of the role on records…The final scene (CD 2 tr. 20) is gripping, primarily through the warmth and inwardness of his singing. Throughout this version his is a very convincing portrait of Boccanegra. … Fiesco, one of the most imposing among a row of great Verdian bass roles, is sung by Ildar Abdrazakov. His is one of those gigantic voices from Eastern Europe: a typical Slavonic timbre, a magnificent instrument, voluminous but with nuance galore. …for the most beautiful singing of the title role Hvorostovsky should be heard.” —Göran Forsling, MusicWeb International
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