Christoff, Boris

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Christoff, Boris (b Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 1914; d Rome, 1993). Bulgarian bass. Studied in Sofia as lawyer then singing in Rome and Salzburg. Début Reggio CG 1949 (Boris); Salzburg Fest. 1949; Amer. début (S. Francisco) 1956; Chicago Opera 1958–63. Notable interpreter of Mussorgsky's Boris and Verdi's King Philip; also sang Wagner roles of Hagen, King Marke, and Gurnemanz. Gave concert in NY 1980, but never sang at NY Met.