A grand Gala concert marked the culmination of the 25th Jubilee International Master Class of Raina Kabaivanska on the stage of Sofia Opera and Ballet. Organized by New Bulgarian University, the event turned into a true festivity of the music and the generosity, bringing together audience and artists in an unforgettable experience.
The audience welcomed with great interest, the brightest young talents who, for two weeks, had the privilege of working with the world known soprano. The Gala concert showcased their achievements through performances of emblematic arias that captivated the spectators in the hall.
On this festive evening, Raina Kabaivanska received high recognition for her dedication to young talents and to the art. She was awarded the prize “Person with a Significant Contribution to the Development of Philanthropy in Bulgaria” by Bulgarian Donors Forum. “There are personalities for whom words are not enough,” said Tsetska Karadzhova, Chair of the Foundation’s Board. “ When we pronaunce the name of Raina Kabaivanska, we hear not only the applause of the world theaters, but we also see a woman with a great heart. With love not only for the art, but also for the people.”
The Director of the Sofia Philharmonic and conductor of the Master Class since its very first edition, Nayden Todorov, expressed excitedly his deep gratitude: “Raina Kabaivanska is not just one of the greatest personalities in Bulgarian history, she is a living legend. She also cares for the generation that comes after her.” He emphasized that thanks to her efforts and the support of New Bulgarian University, “opera has a future.”
The Rector of New Bulgarian University, Prof. Plamen Doynov, D.Sc., also expressed his gratitude, using a touching metaphor: “For 25 years, Raina Kabaivanska has been teaching us how the great voice can simultaneously be silent, soundless, yet multiply into so many new voices, thus to turn that seeming silence into an endless aria.”
“I am happy that this Master Class has grown into a School,” announced from the festive stage George Tekev, PhD, Executive Director of NBU, founder and producer of the Master Class. “This International School has placed NBU and Sofia on the map of the world opera stage. We owe all this to a great artist, whom we are fortunate to have with us since the time of enthusiasm for development of NBU. And I want to thank Raina from the bottom of my heart for trusting me so that we have accomplished this together. I express my deep gratitude to her for the inspiration!”
In a congratulatory address, the Director of Sofia Opera and Ballet – Acad. Plamen Kartaloff – stated that “to know and to be in creative interrelations with Raina Kabaivanska is a privilege.” He added that “after her dazzling career she believes in the vocation of being a teacher and in the conviction that talent should not remain in a museum, but should always be alive and passed on to those who follow in the footsteps of the greatests in the art.”
The Gala concert reached its culmination with the emotional address of the Maestra herself. “I am grateful that there is love for the music,” shared Raina Kabaivanska and these words touched the hearts of everyone present.
Traditionally at the end of the Gala concert were announced the names of the scholarship holders of Raina Kabaivanska Fund at NBU for specialization in Italy. The new talents who will have the opportunity to refine their professional development in world music centers are:
A scholarship named after the great Bulgarian opera singer Hristina Angelakova was awarded to Baia Saganelidze (Georgia).
А scholarship named after the great Bulgarian bass Mihail Popov was awarded to Andrei Miclea (Romania).
Scholarships for new discoveries were awarded to: Eunchan Lee (South Korea), Jeongwoo Lee (South Korea), Haotian Ma (China), Lyubov Ostrovska (Ukraine), Alessiya Camaran (Italy), Daria Lupu (Romania), and Darinela Vangelova (Bulgaria).
The International Master Class and Raina Kabaivanska Fund at NBU are possible thanks to the unconditional support of their partners and sponsors, including the general sponsor Fantastico Group, Sofia Opera and Ballet, Sofia Philharmonic, Sofia Municipality, the Embassy of Italy in Sofia, as well as Sami-M, Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Group, Inkofoods, Barage Group, Barbarela Luxury Resort Wear, Metal Technology Group, Christian of Roma, Santorelli and DS Automobiles.
The Gala concert, which brought together the remarkable past and the promising future of the opera art, proved that love for the music and the generosity for the talents are able to create timeless masterpieces.
Photos: Kosyo Hadzigenchev & Krum Stoev