Raina Kabaivanska’s First Master Class (2001) took place as part of the events honoring the 10-year anniversary of NBU. This was the first time that an academic institution in Bulgaria hosted a Master Class. Until then, education in the field of opera singing in Bulgaria had no capacity for inviting famous Bulgarian opera singers, was not related to practice, and had no contact with the teaching of opera singing in other countries. 

A year later, in 2002, the Second Master Class became an international event. Together with Ms. Kabaivanska, the NBU Board of Trustees launched the NBU Raina Kabaivanska Fund whose aim is to award national and international scholarships to outstanding Master Class participants so as to enable them to continue their training in Bulgaria and abroad. 

In 2003 performers from Russia, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Ukraine, Lebanon, Mongolia, Argentina, and Bulgaria applied for Raina Kabaivanska’s Third Master Class. For its fourth issue (2004), applications were submitted from 12 countries. Together with the grant-holders for the Fourth Master Class, the Raina Kabaivanska Fund supports 11 performers from Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, China and Argentina. They have received scholarships enabling them to continue their training in other music academies, and work with Ms. Kabaivanska in her other master classes or individually. Therefore, young performers are given access to quality training in opera signing, opportunities to communicate and share experience with peers, take part in mobility and participate in opera performances. 

After attending the NBU Master Class, Ina Kancheva, one of the Raina Kabaivanska Fund grant-holders, continued her training in Raina Kabaivanska’s Master Class at the Chigiana Academy (Italy), and performed as Violeta in “La Traviata” at the opera theatres in Barcelona and Hanover, and as Mimi in “La Bohemes”. She also participated in the performances of the Milan La Scala in Japan, and in concerts in Italy, together with Raina Kabaivanska. 

Holder of the Best 2003 Master Class Performer scholarship is Evgenia Brainova who performed in ‘”Idomeneo”, “Cosi fan tutte” and "Die lustige Witwe" in Italy. Gabriele Ribis received scholarship for attending the 2003 Master Class and participates in performances of the Czech National Opera, as well as of opera theatres in Siena and Pisa, Italy. 

Raina Kabaivanska’s Master Class at NBU closes with Gala Concert of the prima donna together with the most outstanding Class participants. These concerts are attended by representatives of foreign opera theatres and embassies in Bulgaria, organizers of contests and festivals, foreign impresarios, and national media. The concerts are held at the Grand “Bulgaria” Hall with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. 

After successfully organizing and holding four Master Classes, in 2005 New Bulgarian University will host Raina Kabaivanska’s Fifth Master Class. 

Training in the Master Class continues for 10 days and closes with Gala Concert of the best performers and with the special participation of Raina Kabaivanska. Trainees work with rehearsal pianists and a teacher of Italian. The Master Class receives extensive media coverage and is accompanied by a number of important events. 

Contact us:

Center for Continuing Education with NBU
tel.: + 359 2 811 01 07

PR for Raina Kabaivanska’s Master Class
Vesselina Vassileva
e-mail: vvassileva@nbu.bg
tel.: + 359 2 811 01 25
mobile: + 359 887 770 887