Ivan Rebroff



Ivan Rebroff was a German-born vocalist, allegedly of Russian ancestry, who rose to prominence for his distinct and extensive vocal range of four and a half octaves, ranging from the soprano to bass registers.

Life and career

Rebroff was born in Berlin as Hans-Rolf Rippert to German parents, yet claimed mixed Russian-Jewish descent. He studied singing at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. Although his knowledge and pronunciation of Russian was imperfect, he became famous for singing Russian folk songs, but also performed opera, light classics and folk songs from many other countries. He was known on stage for his gusto. He performed over 6,000 concerts in his career, including a two-year seven-day-a-week stint at the French opera, singing and acting, among other greats, the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Rebroff still performed 12 shows in 14 days when he was well into his seventies, such as on an Australian tour.
Ivan Rebroff described himself as international, the "connection between East and West". He became a citizen of Greece and lived on the Greek island of Skopelos in the Sporades.
He died in Frankfurt after a long illness. Four days after his death, his brother Horst Rippert, who is nine years his senior, claimed part of Rebroff's vast fortune.

LP Discography

1967

1976