Russians in patriotic mode

[Belle]

Because they are ruled by a monstrous thug we tend to forget that the long-suffering Russians love their country too, and this is proof if any were needed. The wonderful Dmitri is so very much missed!!! Have you ever seen a smile like his?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4OV4OzqrRQ

And here he was in Moscow with Anna a few years later:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5SlUmCdXf0

The power of music!!

[maestrob]

Delightful, Belle! I adore Netrebko's youthful enthusiasm. Always have. If you like, look for the concert pictured below on DVD with Renee Fleming from St. Petersburg (also with Orbellian, and with Olga Kern on piano for some Rachmaninov songs). Hvorostovsky was a great artist, and he is sorely missed throughout the world of classical music.

[Belle]

Thank you for that tip. I sent the two links via email to my step-daughter in Auckland, New Zealand, and she played it in the office of the computer company where she works. She reported back that one staff member, originally from Croatia, was particularly moved by the songs.

[Lance]

Too bad this is only available as a DVD. Why wouldn't Decca issue this as a CD also? It would sell, assuredly!

[jbuck919]

The problem with Putin vis-a-vis the Russians is the same as the problem with Trump vis-a-vis Americans, which is that plenty of people actually like him.

In the true Communist days, one could always tell when something serious like the death of the dictator had happened because the radios would stop everything else and and start playing Tchaikowsky's Marche Slave.