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National and international events commemorate great Bulgarian basso Nicola Ghiuselev (1936-2014)

Photo: „Nicola Ghiuselev“ Foundation

National celebrations dedicated to great Bulgarian basso Nicola Ghiuselev continue. Commemorative events opened on 17 August that marked his 80th birth anniversary and 50th creative one. Apart from being a world-acclaimed opera singer, Ghiuselev was also a talented artist. He died in 2014.

Nicola Ghiuselev sang at reputable opera theaters in Europe, the Americas, Australia and Japan and partnered with the greatest stars of his time.

The „Nicola Ghiuselev“ Foundation has set up an international award named after him for talented opera singers and artists which will be given during prestigious cultural forums in Bulgaria and abroad.

We learn more about the program of events from Anna-Maria Ghiuseleva, the widow of the great Bulgarian basso:

„Last year, with friends and cultural activists, we started the „Nicola Ghiuselev“ foundation jointly with institutions such as the National Palace of Culture, the Sofia Opera & Ballet, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences etc. This year we received substantial moral and financial support from the Ministry of Culture which has been decisive for carrying out this program of events. We are very grateful for the support.”

„The Municipality of Pavlikeni will hold major celebrations on 16 Sept. and has decided to name the summer theater in his hometown after Nicola Ghiuselev. On 20 Sept. the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences organizes a major concert to commemorate him with the participation of the Sofia Soloists orchestra led by conductor Plamen Djouroff, Ivan Drenikov etc. Next comes Parma where a concert is due on 22 Sept. presenting Vladimir Stoyanov and Michele Pertusi. The Sofia Opera & Ballet has devoted to him the show of Don Carlos on 29 Oct. starring Italian Roberto Scandiuzzi cast as Philip. Then comes Rome on 3 Nov., and the Bulgarian Cultural Institute and the Embassy. There will be a concert, screenings and presentations of new books. „Nicola Ghiuselev“ foundation jointly with „13 centuries Bulgaria“ foundation has released an album about Ghiuselev with photos, paintings and texts about him. A concert will be given in Strasbourg on 18 Nov. An exhibition opens on 2 Dec. at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia with posters and photos and with presentations of the album and the new biographic novel about Nicola Ghiuselev by Vladimir Gadzhev.”

„On 13 Dec. at Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia is the big anniversary concert The Knight of Opera. It will feature opera singers who have been his students: Vladimir Stoyanov, Nikolay Karnolski, Marian Yovanovski, and also Boiko Zvetanov, Kaludi Kaludov, Orlin Anastassov and Daniela Dyakova. Francesca Patane is an Italian soprano whose father was a great opera conductor, Giuseppe Patane. The concert's conductor is Donato Renzetti who has worked with Ghiuselev. The concept is to attract students, colleagues and conductors who have worked with Nicola. We are going to make a film about him and will interview Renato Bruson, Mirella Freni, Katia Riccarelli, Hristina Angeakova and others.“

English Daniela Konstantinova


The audio features the following works:

1. An aria of Sarastro from The Magic Flute by Mozart featuring Nicola Ghiuselev with the accompaniment of the Sofia Philharmonic and the choir of the Sofia Opera, conductor Ruslan Raichev

2. In Vecchia zimarra, from Giacomo Puccini's Le boheme Nicola Ghiuselev sings together with Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni and Sesto Bruscantini in a 1969 live recording from the Opera of Rome

3. Nicola Ghiuselev with Vladimir Stoyanov in a duet of Macbeth and Banquo from Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth, also featuring the Sofia Symphony Orchestra, conductor Boris Hinchev. 

4. Nicola Ghiuselev with Vladimir Stoyanov in a duet of Attia and Ezio from Giuseppe Verdi's Attila, also featuring the Sofia Symphony Orchestra, conductor Boris Hinchev. 

5. Nicola Ghiuselev in Toast of Don Juan from the opera of the same name by Mozart.





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