AE 220
 Bulgarian Operas

29 September 1908, Kyustendil -

In 1930 he graduated from the Sofia Academy of Music, then studied in Paris (1931-34), with d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum and Dukas at the Ecole Normale de Musique. He worked as a teacher, violinist and conductor in Bulgaria before leaving for Munich to study composition (1938-39). In 1943 he was offered a post at the Sofia State Academy. His numerous works have their roots in the melody, metre and rhythm of Bulgarian fold music.

He has written three operas: Ivailo is in the grand opera style, while in Thrakiiskite idoli a historical subject is used to make a philosophical and ethical point.

Compositions:

• Ivailo - (M. Perkanova, after I. Vazov), Sofia National Opera - Feb. 13, 1959
• Zachari Zograph (The Icon-Painter Zakhary) - (P. Spasov, after his Grekhovnata Lyubov na Zografa Zakhary), Sofia National Opera - October 17, 1972
• Trakiiski idoli (Thracian Idols) - (S. Dichev), Stara Zagora Opera - 1981