Experience the groundbreaking vocal range of German bass, Ivan Rebroff, including his powerful earth-quaking low F notes
Ivan Rebroff, born Hans Rolf Rippert in 1931, was a German entertainer renowned for his extraordinary vocal range that spanned approximately four octaves. This range, which extended "easily over four octaves" from a low F to a high F, one-and-a-quarter octaves above C, was featured in the Guinness Book of Records[2].
Rebroff grew up in Berlin and sang with the Boys Choir Stadtsingerchor zu Halle[1]. Later, he studied singing, piano, and violin at a music college in Hamburg. His vocal talents and unique style made him a standout performer, earning him a prolific career that included over 6,000 concerts worldwide[1].
Rebroff's repertoire was diverse, encompassing classical opera, Russian folk songs, and popular music. He recorded numerous albums, including operatic works like Die Fledermaus conducted by Carlos Kleiber, as well as collections of Russian folk and classical songs[1]. His ability to blend folk traditions with classical technique made him a unique figure in the world of vocal performance.
In addition to live concert performances, Rebroff left a significant recorded legacy with albums released from the 1970s through the early 2000s, including titles like The Very Best of Ivan Rebroff, Meine Reise um die Welt, and Around The World With Ivan Rebroff[1].
Visually, Rebroff was also distinctive, often donning traditional Russian folk costumes that emphasized his connection to the repertoire he specialized in[3][5]. He was an imposing figure on stage, sporting a huge beard, towering at over two meters tall, and typically wearing Cossack dress[3].
Rebroff was known for his extraordinary vocal range, which extended beyond four octaves. One YouTuber commented that Rebroff could sing an opera doing all the characters himself[4]. He famously played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and sang in multiple languages including German, French, Russian, and Greek[1].
Rebroff continued performing into his 70s and died aged 76 in Frankfurt in 2008, after a long illness[1]. His record-breaking vocal range can be found in numerous YouTube clips, including songs like 'Kalinka' and 'Evening Bells'[4]. Despite some disputes over his claimed Russian descent, Rebroff's impact on the world of music remains undeniable.
- Ivan Rebroff - Wikipedia
- Ivan Rebroff - Guinness World Records
- Ivan Rebroff - AllMusic
- Ivan Rebroff - YouTube
- Ivan Rebroff - IMDb
Celebrities like Ivan Rebroff, known for his unprecedented vocal range, often found themselves in the limelight of pop-culture, especially with his unique performances. His diversified repertoire, encompassing opera, folk songs, and popular music, solidified his status as a prominent figure in the realm of entertainment.
