Култура

"Once the homeland of mythical Orpheus, today's Bulgaria is celebrated around the world by recognized singers such as Nikolay Gyaurov..." The above sentence is part of the text with which on its website the Mission of Bulgaria presents our country to the European Community. However, if we look on the Internet at how the Municipality of Velingrad presents the world's most famous Velingrad citizen, we will have to blush with shame. Because on the official page of the municipality, the name of Nikolay Ghiaurov appears only as a name on the central square in the program for the Festivals of Culture. It is true that no one is a prophet in his homeland. The great conductor Herbert von Karajan is also right to say that Gyaurov is known to everyone, but little known in his city. Days before 17 March, for when the national celebration of 50 years of creative activity of the world-renowned singer was determined, we decided to seek an assessment of his work in his native Velingrad. And since Nikolay Gyaurov has been associated with Music all his life, we give the floor to the citizens of Velingrad, whose professional path has also passed through the stage, art, music:
Lilia Zakhova-Zhelyazkova, ballet teacher and actress in amateur theater: Nikolay Gyaurov and I were very good friends. He loved and respected my father, Petko Zahov, as a person and director of the High School. Nikolaicho called him Chichata and confessed: "I am in love with Chichata...". As high school students, Nikolay Ghiaurov and I played in the orchestra of Bai Angel Guerin. I was second fiddle and he played the clarinet. He played all the instruments, and when one of the musicians was absent, he replaced him - most often he played first fiddle. To Nikolai Bai Angel very often said, "You're a genius, you're a boy, you're a genius." And not just that. He was very, very handsome. We called it "the beauty of high school." He was also one of the best performers in the theater. He played the lead role in "The Arlesian" directed by Georgi Popov together with Zdravka Popova. Nikolai also conducted the town choir. I'll never forget how he used to chase us not to eat ice cream before a concert so we wouldn't ruin our voices. I am happy that I knew him and I still remember how on his first coming from Moscow he came to my house and said to me: "Lilence, I wish you to come to Moscow and watch "Swan Lake" with Maya Plisetskaya." His wish didn't come true, but he became number one in the world, and I'm proud of it.
Eli Gikova, music pedagogue and conductor of the City Choir: I knew bye Angel Guerin and I have heard many interesting, funny and attractive things about Nikolay Ghiaurov from him. Not paying attention to the gossip, my attitude towards him was and is like a valuable relic. He is also a singer and a dramatic artist. Young people don't know anything - it's a shame! In this sense, Velingrad owes him. Gyaurov is a man on the world stage. He was lucky enough to start with a lot of good pedagogues who got him very right as a singer and an artist. From then on, he only made people perplexed that such a voice, such a singer and artist could exist. The City Choir with a sense of responsibility refers to the recognition that is voted for us - to participate in the jubilee concert on March 17 in Sofia. We do our best to present ourselves properly and to show that we are worthy of presenting the musical glory of Velingrad.
Violeta Kranteva, music pedagogue: One of the most remarkable basses of the 20th century is the Bulgarian Nikolay Ghiaurov, born in Velingrad. Fifty years Gyaurov is the name by which the world identifies one of its world and the Bulgarian singing genius manifestations. Fifty years Gyaurov is a phenomenon in the ocean ascending opera stars, which means that it is not only a voice, knowledge and culture, but also an individual who has reincarnated classical images countless times on stage: Philip of Verdi's "Don Carlos", Boris Godunov of Mussorgsky, Don Basilio of Rossini's "Sevil's Barber" and many others. The noted singer saturates with the extraordinary colorfulness and power of his voice.
The creative biography of the famous bass Nikolay Ghiaurov belongs not only to Velingrad, not only to Bulgaria, it is the history and glory of the entire opera world.
Greta Kadyova, head of the ensemble for authentic folklore "Draginovo": Our Nikolay Gyaurov is a singer of world class. A man to whom God has given. Gave her a voice, and beauty. It's something that doesn't happen again. He's proud to be from our town. I've always loved him, and I've been proud to be from the same city, even though I don't know him personally. I am convinced, since Nikolai Gyaurov was born in the Rhodopes - Orpheus Mountain, the voice of the legendary Orpheus has reincarnated in him as beauty, strength, power - voice like velvet. And although I am a folk singer, I have a favorite aria and this is Philippe's aria from Verdi's "Don Carlos" in his performance.
Stoyanka Encheva, music pedagogue I am grateful for the fact that with his exceptional voice and artistic talent he showed the world the power of the creative spirit of the Bulgarian. His name is an occasion of national pride and a vivid example in the patriotic upbringing of the young generation. Yordanka Kazalieva, Head of the Children's Music School "Zvanche":
I have known Nikolai Gyaurov since I was a child, because he and my mother were classmates. I have also been to his solo concerts of selected favorite arias on the Chitalishte stage. Here I have heard the arias of Don Basilio, Boris Godunov, of Philip of Verdi's Don Carlos, and in 1958/59. at the National Opera in Sofia I have also starved the whole opera with him.
His voice seemed to flow from the depths of the Earth, from the depths of the human soul. I remember after his concerts my mother used to say that with them he was reporting to his fellow citizens for their help. In fact, I think that was his "Thank you" for their help in connection with his studies.
As a music teacher and 32 years a singing teacher I have always used his performances in my classes as an example of real bass and I have found that the students have accepted as their favorite aria that of Philip from Don Carlos. Since I had the honor of personally knowing Herbert von Karajan, I would like to repeat the words he said about Nikolai Gyaurov. I will quote them accurately because they have sealed themselves in my mind: "Nikolay Gyaurov is a great disciplined, responsible and honest man. It's a pleasure to work with him. He is the lowest male voice (bass) in the world. Known to all, but little known for his city."
Veska Bozhkova