The grand opening of the Hvorostovsky Arts Festival took place on the stage of the Great Hall of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Philharmonic. The festival started on October 16 – the birthday of the legendary opera singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky himself.

— Many people known and appreciated all over the world were originally from our region. But Dmitri Alexandrovich Hvorostovsky did not just become famous; he won the love of the people. The scale of Hvorostovsky as a talent was such that his art was and still is known, close and accessible to people of different ages, professions, musical tastes and nationalities. For me, his powerful and beautiful voice is the voice of our Yenisei, the voice of Siberia itself. Dmitri maintained a special connection with his birthplace throughout his entire life: in Krasnoyarsk, he first stepped on the stage, brought new performances and ultimately it was Krasnoyarsk where he gave his last solo concert in Russia. The main source of wealth in Siberia is smart, strong, talented, caring people, thanks to whom the impossible becomes reality. This is exactly what Dmitri Hvorostovsky was - a real Siberian - one of us, – said the Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Region Mikhail Kotyukov.

The Festival programme was opened by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Ildar Abdrazakov. Accompanied by the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Russian Orchestra, which Hvorostovsky called the best orchestra of Russian folk instruments in Russia, Ildar Abdrazakov.performed romances and Russian folk songs, and spoke to the audience:

— Today's performance is unusual in its own way, since it isn't often that I get to perform with a folk orchestra. I hope that the audience appreciated our experiment. After all, I gave my heart and soul to the Krasnoyarsk audience. I am glad that the Festival in memory of my mentor and friend Dmitri Hvorostovsky is taking place in Krasnoyarsk. He was always there to give me advice in a difficult situation, truly a reliable person. Today, his friends and fans from all over the world have gathered in this hall, and I am glad to be among them.

The Festival programme will be continued by stars of the world and Russian opera scene, such as Vittorio Grigolo, Zinaida Tsarenko, Olga Peretyatko and Vasily Ladyuk. The troupe of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia visits Krasnoyarsk in full force for the first time - a concert performance of the opera "La Traviata" will be presented with the participation of its soloists, choir and orchestra. Maestro Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra will close the Festival on November 2.

A special event in the festival programme this time is the exhibition "Theatre. Painting. Hvorostovsky" in the Krasnoyarsk State Art Museum n.a. V.I. Surikov. From October 17, 2024 to January 19, 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to look at works thematically related to the musical pieces performing which Dmitry Hvorostovsky gained worldwide recognition.