Putin thanks Khvorostovsky for yesterday's concert

Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Saturday in his Moscow region Novo-Ogaryovo residence with one of the best baritones of the world, Russian Dmitry Khvorostovsky.

At the meeting, the head of state thanked Khvorostovsky for his solo concert that took place May 28 on Vasilyevsky Spusk near the Moscow Kremlin.

Putin attended the concert together with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"Unfortunately, I could not attend the first part, but I was very pleased with the second one," Putin said.

"Thank you from me and my counterpart Hosni Mubarak. I think your numerous fans in Russia who were lucky enough to attend your yesterday's concert will join my words of gratitude," the president told Khvorostovsky.

In his turn, the opera singer said he was glad to sing in Red Square.

"This is of course one of the highest achievements in my creative life, and I am grateful to you for the dream that came true," said the singer.

In the president's words, the audience received the singer in a warm way.

Khvorostovsky said the program of his performance should be completely Russian, but in connection with the fact that the Rossia TV channel broadcasted the concert all over the world, the program had to be corrected: Neapolitan songs and arias had to be included.