Stefan Dimitrov (bass)

Stefan Dimitrov (b. 22 November 1939 - d. Sofia 13 August 2004 ) was a world-renowned opera singer. Born in Burgas (situated on the Black Sea cost), the Bulgarian opera singer of Greek origin won four of the most prestigious international singing competitions at the very beginning of his career: those in Toulouse, the "Erkel" in Budapest, the "s’Hertogenbosch" in the Netherlands, and the "Young Opera Singers" in Sofia.

Early career

He graduated from the Central Master Studio of Singing of the Sofia State Music Academy under its founder and leader Prof. Christo Brumbarov, the teacher of opera singers such as Nikolai Ghyaurov, Nikolai Ghyuselev, Ghena Dimitrova and others.

In 1965 Stefan Dimitrov met his colleage on stage and love for life - the piano accompanist and répétiteur Malina Dimitrova, who graduated at this time her first steps in the opera accmpanying field. An invitation to post-graduate the masters degree at the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow followed. There Stefan sang under world-known conductors like B.Haikin, Y.Simonov (General Music Director of the Bolshoy at the 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 basso performed a number of roles: Boris in Boris Godunoff, Don Basiglio in Il Bariere di Seviglia]]', the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlo, Prince Galitzki and Khan Konchak in Prince Igor, Sparafucile in Rigoletto and others. Numerous connecting engagements guided Stefan and Malina Dimitrov to many prestigious opera and concert theatres in Moscow and former UdSSR.

Stefan Dimitrov as Tzar Boris Godunov in the opera "Boris Godunov" by M.Mussorgski

National and international career

After their coming back to Bulgaria, Stefan Dimitrov and Malina Dimitrova were invited as permanent soloist and chief répétiteur of the National State Opera Theatres of Sofia and of Rousse on the Danube and appeared with these ensembles in numerous tours to Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, France and Italy. During his soloist activities in Greece, Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and in all Eastern Europe Stefan Dimitrov worked under conductors and stage directors such as W.Eichner, I.Ranzescu, A.Naydenov, I.Marinov, M.Angelov, Al.Raychev.

In 1980, Stefan and Malina launched their long-lasting and fruitful co-operation with Belgium's leading opera house - La Monnaie / De Munt in Brussels and its legendary director Gerard Mortier. Later on this collaboraion was enlarged with the De Vlaamse coompany in Antwerp.

Under world-reknown conductors like Sir John Pritchard, Silvio Varviso, Machael Schonwandt, Silvain Cambreling and stage directors like Adolf Dresen, Kurt Horez, Pierre Constant, the singer took part in numerous appearances. Taking part also at the guest appearances of „La Monnaie“ and „De Vlaamse“ throughout Europe, during this period Stefan Dimitrov's partners on stage were singers such as Jose van Dam, Lela Couberli, Martina Depuis, Vincenzo di Scola, Ermanno Mauro, Karita Matila, Leona Mitchell, etc.

Stefan and Malina Dimitrov have one son - Liuben, who graduated as as solo pianist and became later part of the internaionally renowned Genova & Dimitrov piano duo.

Stefan Dimitrov died on August 13, 2004 in Sofia.

Recordings

Stefan Dimitrov 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.

Awards

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“.

Selected repertoire

• Beethoven, L. Van – 9th Symphony
• Bellini, V. – I Capuleti e i Montecchi - Capelio
• Borodin, Al. – Prince Igor - Prince Galitzki & Khan Konchak
• Donizetti, G. - Viva La Mama - Mama Agata
• Donizetti, G. - L'elisir d'amore - Dulcamara
• Donizetti, G. - Lucia di Lammermoor - Raimondo
• Glinka, M. - Ivan Susanin - Ivan Sussanin
• Gounod, Ch. - Faust - Mephisto
• Mozart, W.A. - Die Zauberflöte - Zarastro
• Mozart, W.A. - Requiem
• Mussorgsky, M. - Boris Godunov - Boris Godunov, Varlaam, Pimen
• Nikolai, O. – Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor - Falstaff
• Puccini, G. – Turandot - Timur
  
• Prokofiev, S. – Semyon Kotko - Tkachenko
• Rossini, G. - Il barbiere di Siviglia - 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. – The Bartered Bride - Kezal
• Tchaikovsky, P. – Eugene Onegin - Prince Gremin
• Verdi, G. - Don Carlo - King Philippe Ii & The Great Inquisitor
• Verdi, G. - Nabucco - Zaccaria
• Verdi, G. - Simon Boccanegra - Fiesco
• Verdi, G. - Aida - Ramphis & The King
• Verdi, G. - Il trovatore - Ferrando
• Verdi, G. - Un ballo in maschera - Tom
• Verdi, G. - Rigoletto - Sparafucile & Monterone
• Verdi, G. - Macbeth - Banquo
• Verdi, G. - Stiffelio - Borg
• Verdi, G. - Messa Da Requiem - >
• Wagner, R. - Der fliegende Holländer - Daland
• Wagner, R. - Tannhäuser - Biterolf
• Wagner, R. - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

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 Dernière Heure“, Belgium: „Fortunately the 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 appearances at the Brussels La Monnaie/ De Munt Opera House. This time also did not make an exception – the audience awarded the artist with standing ovations, admiration and love.“