Miroslav Cangalovic Bosnian opera and concert singer Date of Birth: 03.03.1921

1. Birth and Early Life
2. Operatic Debut and Training
3. Exceptional Operatic Repertoire
4. Diverse Roles and International Acclaim
5. Concert Repertoire and International Tours
6. Accolades and Legacy

Birth and Early Life

Miroslav Čangalović, a renowned Bosnian opera and concert singer, was born on March 3, 1921, in Glamoč, Bosnia. His encounter with the Trbojević family, where the renowned Serbian pianist and composer Dušan Trbojević resided, ignited his passion for opera.

Operatic Debut and Training

Čangalović made his professional operatic debut in 1946 at the National Theatre in Belgrade as the Jailer in Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca." From 1946 to 1954, he studied under renowned opera singer and vocal pedagogue Zdenka Zikova, expanding his vocal abilities.

Exceptional Operatic Repertoire

Čangalović's operatic repertoire encompassed over 90 roles, which he interpreted with his resonant voice and exceptional dramatic talent. Notable among them were Boris Godunov in Modest Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" and Dosifey in Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina." Music historians and critics consider Čangalović one of the greatest interpreters of Godunov, rivaling even the legendary Russian bass Feodor Chaliapin.

Diverse Roles and International Acclaim

Čangalović's repertoire also included Don Quichotte in Jules Massenet's "Don Quichotte," Galitsky and Konchak in Alexander Borodin's "Prince Igor," Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust," and Verdi's Phillip II in "Don Carlos." He also excelled as Figaro in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Kochubey in Tchaikovsky's "Mazeppa," Ivan the Terrible in Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Maid of Pskov," and Mitke in Petar Konjović's "Koštana."

Concert Repertoire and International Tours

Čangalović's extensive concert repertoire comprised 520 works, including songs, song cycles, cantatas, and oratorios. A significant portion of this repertoire consisted of Serbian and Yugoslav compositions, which he often premiered. His concert career spanned over 40 years, giving over 300 concerts throughout the former Yugoslavia and over 160 concerts worldwide.

Accolades and Legacy

Čangalović's contributions were recognized with numerous awards, both domestically and internationally. Notably, he received the International Jury of Critics' award for Best Singer of the Season twice at the Festival Theatre of Nations in Paris—in 1959 for his performance as Mephistopheles and in 1961 for Boris Godunov. The French government awarded him the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to French culture. Miroslav Čangalović passed away on October 1, 1999, in Belgrade, Serbia, leaving an enduring legacy as one of the greatest basses in Yugoslav history.