To one of the best baritones of his time, doctors diagnosed with brain cancer two and a half years ago.
Born in Siberia, he sang in a heavy metal band before he made his name in Opera as the winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 1989.
He won Bryn Terfel in this competition and went on to perform in all the major Opera houses in the world. Hvorostovsky, which Elle magazine called "the Elvis of Opera", was particularly famous for portraying the title character in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin.
"On behalf of the Hvorostovsky family, we announce the passing of Dmitry Hvorostovsky, a beloved Opera baritone, husband, father, son and friend. He left us at the age of 55."
He died peacefully surrounded by his family near his home in London, the statement said. "May the warmth of his voice and his spirit always be with us," it added.
Vienna State Opera director Dominique Meyer said: "This is a very, very sad day for all of us. With Dmitri Hvorostovsky we lost an outstanding singer and a real friend."
The Russian Embassy in London has opened a book of condolence, and tributes have been paid by fans and musicians on social media.
