Stefan Dimitrov (bass)

Born in the town of Burgas (situated at the Black Sea cost) the world-known Bulgarian opera singer of Greek origin Stefan Dimitrov won at the very beginning of his career four of the most prestigious international singing competition – the „Toulouse“ (France), the „Erkel“ in Budapest (Hungary), the „s’Hertogenbosch“ (Netherlands) and the „Young Opera Singers“ in Sofia (Bulgaria).

He graduated from the „Central Master Studio of Singing“ of the Sofia State Music Academy under its founder and leader Prof.Christo Brumbarov - teacher of singers like Nikolai Ghyaurov, Nikolai Ghyuselev, Ghena Dimitrova, etc. and a personal invitation for post-graduate master degree at the legendary „Bolshoy Theatre“ in Moscow follows. There Stefan Dimitrov song under world-known conductors like B.Haikin, Y.Simonov (General Music Director of the Bolshoy at this time), M.Ermler, Al.Lazarev, F.Mansurov and worked on the stage realisation under the legendary Boris Pokrovski and his assistants. Together with partners like Yevgeny Nesterenko, Elena Obraszova, Irina Archipova and Vladimir Atlantov the young bass has realised at the stage of Bolshoy Theatre a number of parts: Boris („Boris Godunoff“), Don Basilio („Il Barbiere di Seviglia“), the Great Inquisitor („Don Carlo“), Prince Galitzki and Khan Konchak („Prince Igor“), Sparafucile („Rigoletto“), etc. Regular tours throughout the most prestigious opera and concert theatres in Moscow and in the hole ex-USSR followed.

After his coming back to Bulgaria Stefan Dimitrov was invited as standing soloist of the National State Opera Theatres of Sofia and of Rousse on Danube and appeared with these ensembles at numerous tours in Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, France and Italy. During his soloist activity in Greece, Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and in all Eastern Europe he worked under conductors and stage directors like W.Eichner, I.Ranzescu, A.Naydenov, I.Marinov, M.Angelov, Al.Raychev, etc.

In 1980 began Stefan Dimitrov’s long years lasting and extraordinary fruitful co-operation with the most famous Belgian Royal Opera Houses - „La Monnaie“ in Bruxelles and its legendary director Dr.Gerard Mortier as well as „De Vlaamse“ in Antwerpen. Under world-known conductors like Sir John Pritchard, Silvio Varviso, Machael Schonwandt, Silvain Cambreling and stage directors like Adolf Dresen, Kurt Horez, Pierre Constant, the Artist took part at numerous appearences and stage realisations: „Don Carlo“, „Il Trovatore“ (Verdi), „Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg“ (Wagner), „Boris Godunoff“ (Mussorgski), „I Capuletti e i Montecchi“ (Bellini), „Eugene Onegin“ (Tchaikovsky), „Turandot“ (Puccini), „Die Nacht der Walpurgis“ (Mendelssohn), „Contes d’Hoffman“ (Offenbach), etc. Taking part also at the guest appearences of „La Monnaie“ and „De Vlaamse“ throughout Europe, during this period Stefan Dimitrov had singers like Jose van Dam, Lela Couberli, Martina Depuis, Vincenzo di Scola, Ermanno Mauro, Karita Matila, Leona Mitchell as his partners.

The Artist has realised a number of studio and live recording sessions at numerous radio and TV broadcasting corporations in Bulgaria, Belgium, Netherlands, France, etc. as well as few CD releases for „EMI“.

During his musical career Stefan Dimitrov was awarded many prizes for his artistic achievements in Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium (Special Merits of the Queen) and in France and was presented in the 1999 „Who Is Who in Bulgaria“ and the 2000 „Who is Who in the Bulgarian Culture“.

Stefan Dimitrov passed away suddenly on August 13, 2004 in Sofia (Bulgaria).

^{Repertoire (selection)}

BEETHOVEN, L. van – „9th Symphony“
BELLINI, V. – „I Capuletti e i Montacchi“ - Capelio
BORODIN, Al. – „Prince Igor“ - Prince Galitzki & Khan Konchak
DONIZETTI, G. - „Viva la Mama“ - Mama Agata
DONIZETTI, G. - „L’Elissir d’amore“ - Dulcamara
DONIZETTI, G. - „Luccia di Lamermour“ - Raimondo
GLINKA, M. - „Ivan Sussanin“ - Ivan Sussanin
GOUNOD, Ch. - „Faust“ - Mephisto
MOZART, W.A. - „Die Zauberflötte“ - Zarastro
MOZART, W.A. - „Requiem“
MUSSORGSKY, M. - „Boris Godunoff“ - Boris Godunoff, Varlaam, Pimen
NIKOLAI, O. – „Die lustige Frauen aus Windsor“ - Falstaf
PUCCINI, G. – „Turandot“ - Timur
PROKOFIEFF, S. – „Semyon Kotko“ - Tkachenko
ROSSINI, G. - „Il Barbiere di Seviglia“ - Don Basilio
ROSSINI, G. - „L’Italiana in Algeri“ - Mustafa
ROSSINI, G. - „La gazza ladra“ - Gotardo
ROSSINI, G. - „Stabat Mater“ -
SAINT-SAENS, C. – „Samson et Dalila“ - Abimelech
SMETANA, B. – „Die verkaufte Braut“ - Kezal
TCHAIKOVSKY, P. – „Eugene Onegin“ - Prince Gremin
VERDI, G. - „Don Carlo“ - King Philippe II & The Great Inquisitor
VERDI, G. - „Nabucco“ - Zaccaria
VERDI, G. - „Simone Boccanegra“ - Fiesco
VERDI, G. - „Aida“ - Ramphis & The King
VERDI, G. - „Il Trovatore“ - Ferrando
VERDI, G. - „Un ballo il maschera“ - Tom
VERDI, G. - „Rigoleto“ - Sparafucile & Monterone
VERDI, G. - „Macbetto“ - Banquo
VERDI, G. - „Stifelio“ - Borg
VERDI, G. - „Messa da Requiem“ -
WAGNER, R. - „Der fliegende Hollaender“ - Daland
WAGNER, R. - „Tanhaeuser“ - Biterolf
WAGNER, R. - „Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg“

Press OPERA MAGAZINE“, Belgium: “The fine and soft teimbre of Stefan Dimitrov’s voice remembered strongly his world-known compatriots Boris Christoff and Nikolai Ghyaurov. He showed a natural musicality, excellent stage sense, originality and realism.“

„ELEFTEROS COSMOS“, Greece: „The opera fans highly appreciated Stefan Dimitrov’s soft, full of fine nuances, but voluminous voice, enriched with his suggestive artistry.“

„LA LIBRE BELGIQUE“, Belgium: „This evening at the stage of „La Monnaie“ we were witnesses of a huge imposing realisation of „Boris Godunoff“ with the Bulgarian bass Stefan Dimitrov, who brought the hall to explosion. More than a half an hour the audience did not let the singer from the stage. One could hardly imagine a more suggestive experience.“

„LE DERNIER HEURE“, Belgium: „Fortunately „De Vlaamse“ Opera House was able to invite the Bulgarian bass Stefan Dimitrov for „Eugene Onegin“ and „Turandot“. He was expected with great interest by the audience especially after his highly acclaimed guest appearences at the Bruxelles „La Monnaie“ Opera House. This time also did not make an exception – the audience awarded the artist with standing ovations, admiration and love.“

„LE MONDE DE LA MUSIQUE“, France: „The audience accepted the concert realisation of „Montecchi e i Capuletti“ by Bellini with great admiration. The world stars Montserrat Cabaille, Martine Depuis, Vincenzo di Scola and Stefan Dimitrov did a highly impressive appearence.“