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Putin offers condolences over opera star Hvorostovsky’s death

The singer died in London on Wednesday after struggling with brain cancer

© Alexei Nikolskiy/Russian Presidential press service/TASS

SOCHI, November 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences over the death of the internationally acclaimed Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

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Russian opera star Dmitri Hvorostovsky passes away

"The president extends his deepest condolences to the relatives, friends and fans of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who passed away today," Peskov told reporters. "The president was an admirer of Hvorostovsky."

"In general, we believe he (Hvorostovsky’s art) is both our domestic and global cultural heritage," Peskov said. "This is a very heavy loss," he said, adding that Putin will soon send a telegram with condolences to the singer’s family.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky, 55, died in London on Wednesday after struggling with brain cancer.

The Russian baritone retired from the opera stage at the end of 2016 due to complications from a brain tumor. He made his final public appearance in a "Dmitri and Friends" concert at Austria's Grafenegg Festival in June. In September, Hvorostovsky was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the IV degree, one of the highest non-military honors in Russia, for his great contribution to his country’s art and culture.

Read also

Remembering Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Russia’s legendary baritone

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