This year marks the 85^th anniversary of the birth of Bulgarian opera singer Nicola Ghuiselev and the 60^th anniversary of the stage debut of the famous Bulgarian basso.

On this occasion, an exhibition of paintings by Nicola Ghiuselev, who is also an academic portrait painter, will be opened in the central lobby of the Sofia Opera and Ballet. Later, on the Grand Stage of the Opera House the winners of the International Award "Nicola Ghiuselev" for opera and fine arts will be awarded. Winners of its 4^th edition are four opera singers with brilliant international careers - mezzo-soprano Mariana Pencheva, baritones Dobromir Momekov and Maryan Yovanoski (both graduates of maestro Nicola Ghiuselev), basso Dimitar Stanchev, and the Austrian conductor Gustav Kun.

Maestro Nicola Ghiuselev debut on the opera stage was in 1961 at the Sofia Opera with the role of Timur in Puccini's Turandot. His star journey passed through the most famous theatres in the world. "High-class artist", "Great singer", "The voice that paints" - this is how the critics used to describe Nicola Ghiuselev during his lifetime, and among the many disctinctions for his artistic talent is the high award "Golden Verdi".

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva

English Rositsa Petkova