Bulgaria bass Nicolai Ghiaurov was one of the world’s finest singers throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Born on Sept. 13, 1929, in Velingrad, his childhood featured musical studies in violin, piano, and the clarinet. He would go to study at the Bulgarian State Conservatory and later the Moscow Conservatory.

His vocal career got off to a tremendous start when he won the Grand Prix at the International Vocal Competition in 1955, followed by the Gold Medal at the Fifth World Youth Festival in Prague. That same year he made his opera debut in Sofia and then would start appearing at the major theaters, including debuts at La Scala in 1959 and the Covent Garden in 1962.

In 1961, he shared the stage with soprano Mirella Freni for the first time and the two would be married soon thereafter. They would frequently perform and record together throughout their respective careers.

In 1963, he made his US debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where he enjoyed a lengthy career. In 1965, he made his Met Opera debut, singing for a whopping 31 years in over 80 performances.

He would record the first complete stereo version of “Don Quichotte” in the 1970s.

He passed away in 2004.

Signature Roles

Ghiaurov’s early career success revolved around his famed interpretation of Méphistofélès in “Faust,” the role serving as his first performance with Freni and then his Chicago and Met Opera debuts.

But he was also a major Verdian, taking on roles in such operas as “Don Carlo,” “La Forza del Destino,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “Aida,” “Nabucco,” and, especially, the Requiem.

Read More on Ghiaurov

5 Major Career Moments for Bass Nicolai Ghiaurov

Watch and Listen

Here he is in a concert with his wife Mirella Freni

and here he is in a clip from Ernani.