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Headed for Greatness: Raina Kabaivanska’s Enduring Legacy in Opera

At 89, Bulgarian opera singer Raina Kabaivanska is still making waves in the world of opera, 10 years after her last stage performance. The singer, widely regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of her generation, continues to inspire young talent through her annual masterclass in Sofia.

Kabaivanska’s passion for music was evident from a young age, when she learned to play the piano as a child. A teacher at her high school in Sofia noticed her exceptional voice and included her in the choir. She made her debut at the Sofia Opera in 1957 and went on to perform at Milan’s famous La Scala opera house, quickly making a name for herself.

Her career spanned decades, during which she performed alongside some of the world’s most renowned opera singers, including Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Her talent and dedication earned her the nickname “the greatest Tosca after Maria Callas.” She has also showcased her acting skills, playing roles such as Queen Elisabeth in Verdi’s “Don Carlos.”

These days, Kabaivanska’s focus is on mentoring young singers. Her annual masterclass in Sofia has attracted more than 200 students from around the world, with nearly half continuing to study with her at different schools in Italy with scholarships from a fund bearing her name. Her students praise her guidance, saying she teaches them not only how to sing but also how to live and bring a role to life.

Kabaivanska remains humble, saying, “Talent is not just natural abilities but also a capability to see the world in a different way. You are simply born to sing.” Even for the most talented, she acknowledges that making a living in the competitive world of opera can be challenging, citing the decline in popularity of opera among the public.

Despite the challenges, Kabaivanska remains committed to her craft, and her influence extends far beyond her students. As one academic praised, she is “inspiring, and she is a heavyweight. Maintaining such high standards requires a lot of effort.”