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Raina KabaivanskaBulgarian-Italian opera singer, soprano.
Date of Birth: 15.12.1934
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Opera Debut and Early Career
- International Acclaim
- Bulgarian Collaborations and Honors
- Pedagogical Focus
- Recognition and Awards
Early Life and Education
Born to a veterinarian father and a physics teacher mother, Rayna Kabaivanska began her musical studies at a tender age. She studied singing and piano, later attending the State Music Academy in Sofia. There, she trained under the tutelage of Lyudmila Prokopova and Ilia Yosifov.
Opera Debut and Early Career
In 1957, Kabaivanska made her operatic debut at the Sofia Opera as Tatyana in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin." She went on to refine her skills in Italy with Zita Fumagalli-Riva and Giulia Tess. Her Italian debut came in 1959, and she has primarily resided in Modena, Italy, since.
International Acclaim
From 1961, when Kabaivanska first appeared at La Scala, her voice became a fixture on the world's most prestigious opera stages. She graced the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Vienna State Opera, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the Metropolitan Opera. One notable highlight was her performance as Elena in Verdi's "Sicilian Vespers" in Turin in 1973, the only production directed by Maria Callas.
Bulgarian Collaborations and Honors
Throughout her career, Kabaivanska remained connected to her Bulgarian roots. In 1971, she was bestowed the title of People's Artist of Bulgaria. She collaborated on several film operas, including "Pagliacci" (1968), "Il Trovatore" (1975), and "Tosca" (1976).
Pedagogical Focus
Since 1985, Kabaivanska has transitioned primarily to pedagogical activities. She serves as a professor at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Italy, where she teaches a master class on the operas of Giacomo Puccini. While her focus has shifted to education, she continues to perform occasionally, making a notable appearance as the Countess in Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" in Toulouse in 2008.
Recognition and Awards
Kabaivanska has been the recipient of numerous Italian awards in music and culture. Most notably, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2000.