Balance problems have affected the great Russian baritone who is being treated for a brain tumour.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky has announced that he will be withdrawing from all upcoming opera engagements. The popular Russian baritone was found to have a brain tumour in 2015 and has been receiving treatment now for over a year.

“To all my friends, fans and colleagues,” said Hvorostovsky in a statement put out by his management. “It is with great sadness that I must withdraw from opera performances for the foreseeable future. I have been experiencing balance issues associated with my illness, making it extremely difficult for me to perform in staged productions.”

The singer has made a number of appearances since his diagnosis, and has received many favourable notices, though some commentators have suggested the physical effort to perform has taken its toll. He is by no means giving up, however, as he makes clear.

“I will continue to give concerts and recitals as well as make recordings,” he says. “Singing is my life, and I want to continue bringing joy to people worldwide. With this pause in my operatic career and more rest in between each engagement, I hope to have more time to focus on...