Sofia: Raina Kabaivanska was one of the greatest sopranos of her generation — arguably the greatest Tosca after Maria Callas. And even at 89, the Bulgarian singer is still a force in opera.
She may have given her last stage performance a decade ago, but her influence continues through the young stars she mentors through her annual masterclass in Sofia.
“When my career ended, I had this inner necessity to continue to be in the music,” Kabaivanska — who turns 90 in December — said.
“My life is music. Music gives you energy and inspiration and, above all, forms you as a person.” As her students took turns rehearsing their arias for this year’s final gala concert in Sofia, Kabaivanska lip synched and gestured along in the shadows of the darkened hall. Then suddenly, she left her seat, her arms delicately dancing to guide the singer through the most difficult parts.
“I am very old and absolutely I don’t hide this. But this gives me great power to work with the young,” Kabaivanska laughed.
“I have this ambition — to set them on the right path.”
Born in 1934 in the Black Sea city of Burgas, Kabaivanska learned piano as a child. Then a teacher at her high school in Sofia noticed her voice and included her in the choir.
She made her debut at the Sofia Opera in 1957 and two years later moved to Italy, where she performed at Milan’s famous La Scala opera house, quickly making a name for herself.
She went on to bedazzle audiences around the world making roles such as Tosca and Madame Butterfly her own and sharing the stage with Spain’s Placido Domingo and Italy’s Luciano Pavarotti, a close friend and collaborator.
His family asked her to open the great tenor’s funeral mass in 2007 in Modena, with Kabaivanska giving a particularly moving rendition of Verdi’s “Ave Maria”. Strikingly beautiful, Kabaivanska was also a talented actor.
George Tekev was spellbound when as a nine-year-old he watched her play Queen Elisabeth in Verdi’s “Don Carlos” half a century ago. — AFP
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