"Here we must say farewell."

The opera world and our shared world cultural zeitgeist lost a true artist on November 22.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky was a Russian baritone of incomparable beauty and depth.

Growing up in an Italian family, I was exposed to opera at an early age, and it was always a part of our family's cultural life. I have carried that love of opera all through my adult life, and, therefore, kept a keen interest in the world of opera.

Here is Hvorostovsky performing from Don Carlos and other operas. He will be missed.