Atanas Ivanov

Atanas Ivanov was born on April 30th, 1895 in Nova Zagora. In 1918, he graduated from the conservatory in Sofia as a student of Anna Todorova. In 1919, he began private lessons with Ivan Vulpe and worked with the Bulgarska Operna Drushba. Between 1928-29, he continued his studies in Milan with Borgi, Cotogni and Pertile. His debut was as Hoffmann in Les contes d'Hoffmann in 1923 with the Sofia Opera. After international appearances, he returned to Bulgaria in 1930 and performed until an illness in 1932 forced him to leave the stage. After a lengthy absence, he returned to the Sofia Opera in 1952 for his second debut as Alfredo in Traviata. Ivanov was a representative of the Italian bel canto tradition in Bulgaria. In 1957, he became a concert performer, soloist and second conductor with the Alexander Nevski Cathedral Choir. Major roles in his career included Radames, Cavaradossi, Nadir and many of the tenor roles of Bulgarian operas. Atanas Ivanov died on December 19th, 1961.

I wish to thank Vladimir Efimenko for compiling this page; source for most of the material: University of Pittsburgh.