CONDOLATORY ADDRESS

One of the great names in the Bulgarian and the world operatic art – Nicola Ghiuselev – has left us.

His great artistic way began from the stage of Sofia Opera and Ballet, at that time Sofia People’s Opera, where on 27 June 1961 he made his debut with the role of Timur in the opera “Turandot” by Puccini. He has sung on the most well-known opera stages in Italy, the USA, Japan, France. In 1964 in Parma he was awarded the Golden Verdi Prize – an exceptionally esteemed recognition for his talent.

Among his bright and memorable roles are Filippo II from “Don Carlo”, Boris Godunov from Mussorgsky’s opera of the same name, also Dossifei and Ivan Khovansky from “Khovanshtina”, Konchak and Galitsky from Borodin’s “Prince Igor”, and a gallery of characters from the work of Giuseppe Verdi, among which Attila from the opera of the same name, Banquo from “Macbeth”, Zaccaria from “Nabucco”, Procida from “I vespri siciliani”, Padre Guardiano from “La forza del destino”, Ramfis and the King from “Aida”, as well as Don Giovanni, Leporello and Il Commendatore from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”, Don Basilio from Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia”, Méphistophélès from Gounod’s “Faust” and Mefistofele from Arrigo Boito’s opera of the same name, Don Quichotte from Massenet’s “Don Quichotte”.

For his contribution and services rendered to the Bulgarian and world operatic art Nicola Ghiuselev was awarded a series of Bulgarian State and artistic insignia of honour, but the greatest distinction is the recognition of the audience and the critique. He was an indisputable talent with rare gift, exceptional pedagogue, human being and colleague.

We express our condolences to his relatives, we are deeply grieving over him and we could hard become reconciled to the loss of a personality with such artistic rang and large scale.

On my behalf and on behalf of the staff of Sofia Opera and Ballet I express my respect and I bend my head before the memory and the high artistic pedestal of Nicola Ghiuselev.
 
16.05.2014
                                    
ACAD. PLAMEN KARTALOFF
DIRECTOR OF SOFIA OPERA AND BALLET