Nicolai Ghiaurov
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- September 13, 1929 in Velingrado, Bulgaria
- Died
- June 2, 2004 (aged 74)
- Active Years
- 1971–2001 (31 Years)
- Total Credits
- 17 credits in database
Biography
Nicolai Ghiaurov, also known as Nikolai Gjaurov, Nikolay Gyaurov, and in Bulgarian as Николай Гяуров, was a Bulgarian opera singer and one of the most famous basses of the postwar period. Born on September 13, 1929, in Velingrad, Bulgaria, he was known for acting with credits including Great Performances, Aida, and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. He was admired for his powerful, sumptuous voice and was particularly associated with the roles of Mussorgsky and Verdi. He was married to Zlatina Mishakova and Italian soprano Mirella Freni, with whom he frequently performed. Ghiaurov lived in Modena until his death on June 2, 2004, from a heart attack at the age of 74.
Career overview
Nicolai Ghiaurov was a Bulgarian opera singer and one of the most famous basses of the postwar period. Born on September 13, 1929, in the mountain town of Velingrad, Bulgaria, he learned to play the violin, piano, and clarinet as a child. He was admired for his powerful, sumptuous voice and became particularly associated with the roles of Mussorgsky and Verdi. His career included 17 known credits as an actor, with appearances in projects such as Great Performances in 1971, Aida in 1985, and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger in 2010.
Throughout his life, Ghiaurov was married twice. He married his first wife, the Bulgarian pianist Zlatina Mishakova, in 1956, and later married Italian soprano Mirella Freni in 1978. The two singers frequently performed together on stage. Ghiaurov lived in Modena until his death. He passed away from a heart attack on June 2, 2004, at the age of 74, in Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
17 titles- Il Barbiere di Siviglia (2001) as Don Basilio
- A Christmas Celebration: Send Round the Song (1992) as Self - Singer
- The Metropolitan Opera Gala 1991 (1991) as Self
- Khovanshchina (1989) as Prince Ivan Khovansky
- Eugene Onegin (1989) as Prince Gremin (singing voice)
- La Boheme (1988) as Colline
- Aida (1985) as Ramfis
- The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala (1983) as Self
- Don Carlo (1983) as Philippe II
- Verdi Ernani (1982) as Don Ruy Gomez de Silva
- Macbeth (1979) as Banco
- Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (1978) as Jacopo Fiesco
- Gounod: Faust (1973) as Méphistophélès
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Ramfis
- Verdi – Messa da Requiem (1967) as Self - Bass
- From the House of the Dead as Alexandre Petrovic Goriantchikov
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Nicolai Ghiaurov best known for?
Nicolai Ghiaurov is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Absolute Value of Romance (2026), Aida (1985), Le Grand Échiquier (1972), Very Bad Things (1998).
When and where was Nicolai Ghiaurov born?
Nicolai Ghiaurov was born on September 13, 1929 in Velingrado, Bulgaria. They passed away on June 2, 2004.
How many credits does Nicolai Ghiaurov have?
Nicolai Ghiaurov has 17 film and television credits listed on archytele, with work dated between 1971 and 2001.
What is Nicolai Ghiaurov's background in cinema and television?
Nicolai Ghiaurov, also known as Nikolai Gjaurov, Nikolay Gyaurov, and in Bulgarian as Николай Гяуров, was a Bulgarian opera singer and one of the most famous basses of the postwar period. Born on September 13, 1929, in Velingrad, Bulgaria, he was known for acting with credits including Great Performances, Aida, and You...
Nicolai Ghiaurov by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 42
- Aida (1985) as Ramfis — aged about 55
- Great Performances (1971) as Ramfis — aged about 41
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