Opera Chic

Radvanovsky's Tosca If You Can't Catch Her Live

(Photo: Pavel Antonov)

With all the chaos following American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky's Tosca role debut in Milan on Tuesday night (in Luc Bondy's riot-inducing production that premiered in 2009 at The Metropolitan Opera), we think everyone deserves a nice Radvanovsky treat for taking a ride on the La Scala rollercoaster.

Although she was supposed to debut the role later this month, Radvanovsky was pulled onstage two nights ago at la Scala after a virus struck down primary Tosca Oksana Dyka -- among other colleagues, reported here and here and here and here -- lol omg it never ends! Less fortunate is Jonas Kaufmann's Cavaradossi who has been pulled from tonight's performance (to be subbed by Carlo Ventre) as well.

One of the best American sopranos rocking 19th century Italian opera today, Radvanovsky is poised for a follow-up to her April 2010 solo debut "Verdi Arias". Dropping on February 22 is Verdi Opera Scenes, a duet CD with colleague & friend Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Radvanovsky's shared the stage often with Hvorostovsky and they've channeled their ebony/ivory chemistry into a recording, singing duets from Il Trovatore, Un Ballo in Maschera, Simon Boccanegra and Don Carlo.

The CD also lists encores from their co-tour last season, one of which was Radvanovsky's “Vissi d’arte”. The Act II Tosca aria is a melodic reflection of devotion, a stirring prayer to love set to Puccini's iconic score. Starting today and ending on the CD's launch (Feb. 22), we're offering the track for download. So you can't catch her at La Scala? You can catch her (in digital form anyway) here!

The free track is after the jump...

Dmitri Hvorostovsky's Broadway Crossover

Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky spoke to the Los Angeles Times yesterday about his future projects:

Can you talk a little about your collaboration with Russian composer and pop music producer Igor Krutoy and your "Deja Vu" project?

I sang it last year a number of times. It's amazing music that was written by top Russian composers — 24 new songs, written in French, Italian and Russian. I made a recording, I made a music video, and I performed this program in Moscow , St. Petersburg , Kiev a number of times and once at Radio City Music Hall. I'm going to perform it again in Moscow in March this year, and Igor is writing something new, which hopefully includes some of the play theater, so it might become kind of a Broadway show. We're only creating the story, and we don't know what kind of genre it's going to be, but some music has already been written. If it's good enough, I'll probably bring it here, but the text will be written in Russian, so we'll have to write an English text. But so far I enjoy working and expanding my career into a different type of a genre, which brings me an excitement and challenge to my professional life.

Read more here.

Sondra & Dima: Partners on Stage, BFFs IRL

 
(Photo: Pavel Antonov)

We came for the article, but stayed for the photo. American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky prepare for the conclusion of their duet tour tomorrow night at NYC's Carnegie Hall, and tales of the bff4e&e's wackiness continue to spread.

Hvorostovsky Hits the Clubs

We're not sure exactly what's going on here (sorry, OC doesn't speak Communist), but honestly, we don't really care...it'd only ruin the illusion. Enjoy opera's Silver Fox, Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and his naughty smile.

Dmitri in Latvia

Dmitri Hvorostovsky sings at the international song contest "New Wave" in the Latvian city of Jurmala on the Baltic coast. The competition ran from July 28 - August 2.

Fast forward the Youtube clip to minute 2:30 to see Dmitri's layered mane of glistening silver hair.

Rolando Gave Dmitri The Cooties: Covent Garden Cancellations Galore

June 24 seems to be a bad day (night) for ROH-goers: first Rolando Villazon cancels his recital for the reasons well known; then our Dmitri pulls out, too.

A surprised Opera Chic reader received this notice from the Royal Opera House:

I am very sorry to be sending you an email regarding our concert this Wednesday, 24 June. Unfortunately Dmitri Hvorostovsky is under doctors' orders to completely rest his voice and it is with great regret that he has had to cancel all his current engagements. We are, of course, very disappointed not to be hearing Dmitri and hope he will soon make a full recovery.

A Hampson/Calleja/DiDonato extravaganza will replace Dmitri's show.

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: When Self Love Almost Borders on Douchiness

Russian baritone Dmitry Hvorostovsky speaks from Moscow (he's currently there to sing a few concerts with Gergiev) about his personal & professional life, talks about his childhood in Siberia, his fetish for Italy, and his life as a secksy, silver-haired rock'n'rolla! He also reveals that he wants to sing Boris Godunov in a filmed version. He also wants to explore new Russian roles and Verdi's Macbeth & Otello, with a definite foray into crossover. Then he gives a few shot-outs to his favorite singers (Alagna & Angela, Pape, Furlanetto, Fleming, Kaufmann, Radvanovsky...hmmmm, but not on the list: Netrebko)!

Anna Netrebko in Versace & Chopard, Promotes a Gig

Hey y'all! It's Anna! Yesterday, the Russian superstar was in Munich (where she's currently banging out Mimi at the Bayerische Staatsoper) to chat about her upcoming concert, Das Klassik Open Air Des Jahres. The open air concert will be held at Munich's Königsplatz on July 10, where she'll be singing in duet with Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Gergiev and his Mariinsky Orchestra.

Though dressed simply in black & tan, Anna brought out her nouveau riche side with a gold Versace purse and a Chopard ladies watch, which also matched her gold laquer manicure.

Click the link below for a couple more pictures...

Anna Netrebko: Shake What Your Mama Gave You!

Damn, girl! Anna Netrebko gets down with Dmitri Hvorostovsky! Here's a clip of Anna in the May 16 concert at Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig. (Clip via the adorable Elisa Felici).

Dmitri Hvorostovsky's Music Video: Show Me The Way You Move!

Check it: Ukrainian director Alan Badoev's music video collaboration starring Russian baritone, Dmitri Hvorostovsky called "You and I".

Hat tip to JD for the video, and hat tip to Badoev for rawking our world. NSFW warning for topless nudity. It aint safe no mo'!

Here are some screenshots:

        .:oOOOOo:.   .:oOOOOo:.
      .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:.
     .:oO:      'Oo:oO'      :Oo:.
     :oO:         'o'         :Oo:
     :oO:                     :Oo:
     ':oO:DMITRI 4EVAR:Oo:'
      ':oO:                :Oo:'
        ':oO.             .Oo:'
          ':oO.         .Oo:'
            ':oO.     .Oo:'
              ':oO. .Oo:'
                'oO:Oo'
                 'oOo'
                  'o'

Dmitri Takes Carnegie Hall: The Battle Of The Bulge

He is intensely self-critical. “I don’t like myself really”

Maybe it's the pants.