Young Dmitri Hvorostovsky, at just 27 years old, sings Eri tu… with a voice that already carries the depth and power that would later define his legendary career. His baritone, rich and commanding, fills the room with a captivating warmth and intensity. From the very first note, his control and emotional depth are evident, as he breathes life into the heartbreaking aria. Each phrase is delivered with such clarity and vulnerability, revealing both the strength and sorrow in the character’s plea.

At just 27, Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s performance of “Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima” from Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera is nothing short of extraordinary—a glimpse into the soul of a young artist already touched by greatness. His baritone voice, even in its early bloom, possesses a rare maturity: velvety yet commanding, shaped by a natural gift for phrasing and emotional nuance.

From the first line, Hvorostovsky doesn’t just sing—he inhabits the role. As Renato, torn by betrayal and heartbreak, he channels anguish through perfectly measured breath, subtle dynamics, and a vocal tone that resonates with raw humanity. There’s a majestic sadness in his delivery, as if each word weighs heavy with the character’s inner conflict.

Even then, you can hear the unmistakable qualities that would come to define his legacy—noble timbre, effortless legato, and magnetic presence. But more than technical skill, it’s the vulnerability he allows to surface that captivates. The way he holds the silence after a phrase… the way he lets pain linger in a final note… it’s poetry in motion.

In this early performance, Hvorostovsky doesn’t just show promise—he delivers a masterclass in restraint, power, and truth. A young star already burning bright.