Ivan Rebroff

{{Short description|German singer (1931–2008)}}

{{For|the Kyrgyz politician|Ivan Rebrov}}

{{More citations needed|date=November 2009}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Ivan Rebroff

| image = Yvan Rebroff01.jpg

| caption = Rebroff in 2006

| birth_name = Hans Rolf Rippert

| birth_date = {{birth date|1931|7|31|df=y}}

| birth_place = Berlin, Germany

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2008|2|27|1931|7|31}}

| death_place = Frankfurt am Main, Germany

| genre = International music, folk music

| occupation = Singer

| years_active = 1967–2008

| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes|height = 6'7"}}

}}

Ivan Rebroff (born Hans Rolf Rippert; 31 July 1931{{spaced ndash}}27 February 2008) was a German vocalist, allegedly of Russian ancestry,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/18/obituaries.culture|title = Obituary: Ivan Rebroff|newspaper=The Guardian|date = 18 April 2008}} who rose to prominence for his distinct and extensive vocal range of four octaves, ranging "from a low F to a high F, one and a quarter octaves above C".{{cite book|title=The Guinness Book of Records|year=1993|page=[{{Google books|id=3XGAeFx2EiIC|text=Ivan+Rebroff|plain-url=yes}} 407]|publisher=Bantam|isbn=9780553562576}} An imposing figure on stage, usually bearded and dressed in Cossack clothing, his presence was enhanced by his height, being over 2 metres tall.

Life and career

File:Yvan Rebroff.02.jpg

Rebroff was born on 31 July 1931 in Berlin{{AllMusic|title=Ivan Rebroff|class=artist|id=mn0000513266|tab=biography|author=James Christopher Monger}} (prematurely, he asserted, at seven months, on a train platform){{cite news| last1=Martin| first1=Judith| title=Rebroff: A Group in One| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1977/12/03/rebroff-a-group-in-one/6d3e280e-00ce-4f85-bbd6-798edb41b4ff/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 2, 1977|access-date=January 20, 2025}} as Hans Rolf Rippert to German parents. His parents were Paul Rippert,[https://de.rodovid.org/wk/Person:624553 "Paul Rippert b. 1897"], de.rodovid.org an engineer born in 1897 in Liebenwerda, and Luise Fenske,[https://de.rodovid.org/wk/Person:624555 "Luise Fenske b. 1896"], de.rodovid.org born in Bydgoszcz (then part of Prussian Bromberg). He claimed Russian descent, and while often disputed, this has never been totally refuted. In a 1989 interview with Izvestia, he said "according to documents I am Ivan Pavlovich Rebroff" ({{langx|ru|Иван Павлович Ребров|link=no}}).{{cite news|author1=Алимов Г.|author2=Чародеев Г.|url=https://russianshanson.info/catalog/285/articles/198|access-date=3 September 2023|title=Иван Ребров 'Я русский всей душой'|language=ru|trans-title=Ivan Rebrov 'I am Russian with all my soul'|newspaper=Izvestia|via=russianshanson.info|date=9 May 1989|quote=По документам я действительно Иван Павлович Ребров.|trans-quote=According to the documents, I really am Ivan Pavlovich Rebrov.}}

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 Théâtre Marigny in Paris, singing and acting, among other greats, the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. When he was well into his seventies, Rebroff still performed 13 concerts in 21 days on an Australian tour.{{cite news|title=A slave of the audience finds freedom within |date=2004-03-03 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601105152/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/a-slave-of-the-audience-finds-freedom-within-20040303-gdigos.html |archive-date=2023-06-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/a-slave-of-the-audience-finds-freedom-within-20040303-gdigos.html}}

Rebroff described himself as international, the "connection between East and West".{{quote without source|date=September 2023}} He was named an honorary citizen of the Greek Sporades island of Skopelos, his domicile.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110723171345/http://www.ivan-rebroff.de/ir.htm Ivan Rebroff biography] Rebroff was homosexual.{{Cite news|date=1 November 2018 |title=Heribert Daume erzählt: Mein Freund Ivan Rebroff|author=Tatjana Seibt|url=https://www.fnp.de/lokales/hochtaunus/usingen-ort893437/heribert-daume-erzaehlt-mein-freund-ivan-rebroff-10423583.html |access-date=5 June 2023|newspaper=Frankfurter Neue Presse |language=de |quote=Dass Rebroff homosexuell gewesen sei, wird zwar ungern öffentlich gesagt, inzwischen aus dem näheren Umkreis aber bestätigt.|trans-quote=That Rebroff was homosexual is only reluctantly said publicly, but it's now confirmed from close circles.}}

{{Citation needed span|date=July 2023|text=As well as being a singer, he was at least a reasonable violinist and keyboardist (he is pictured playing a church organ but may have also played the piano). Rebroff sang and was able to converse to a lesser or greater extent in several languages in addition to his native German; Russian, French, Italian, English, and Greek.}}

He died aged 76 in Frankfurt on 27 February 2008, after a long illness. Four days after his death, his brother {{ill|Horst Rippert|de}}, who is nine years his senior (and by his own unsubstantiated accounts shot down Antoine de Saint-Exupéry during World War II), claimed part of Rebroff's vast fortune.{{cite news|url=https://www.bild.de/leute/star-news/heimlicher-bruder-will-millionen-vermoegen-3898792.bild.html|title=Heimlicher Bruder will Millionen-Vermögen|trans-title=Secret brother wants fortune of millions|language=de|access-date=3 September 2023|newspaper=Bild}}

LP discography

File:Yvan Rebroff.jpg

;1967

:Volksweisen aus dem alten Russland (Folk Songs from Old Russia){{Citation |title=Иван Ребров & Балалаечный Ансамбль "Тройка" - Iwan Rebroff Singt Volksweisen Aus Dem Alten Russland |date=1967 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/300188-%D0%98%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%91%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%8C-%D0%A2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BA%D0%B0-Iwan-Rebroff-Singt-Volksw |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1968

:Volksweisen aus dem alten Russland 2 (Folk Songs from Old Russia Volume II){{Citation |title=Иван Ребров, Balalaika Ensemble Troika - Iwan Rebroff Singt Volksweisen Aus Dem Alten Russland (Folge 2) |date=1968 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/312277-%D0%98%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%A0%D0%B5%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2-Balalaika-Ensemble-Troika-Iwan-Rebroff-Singt-Volksweisen-Aus-Dem-Alten-Russlan |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Original Russische Liebeslieder{{Citation |title=Iwan Rebroff - Original Russische Liebeslieder |date=1968 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1274964-Iwan-Rebroff-Original-Russische-Liebeslieder |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Na Sdarowje (Iwan Rebroff Singt Weisen Von Vodka Und Wein){{Citation |title=Iwan Rebroff - Na Sdarowje (Iwan Rebroff Singt Weisen Von Wodka Und Wein) |date=1968 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/651234-Iwan-Rebroff-Na-Sdarowje-Iwan-Rebroff-Singt-Weisen-Von-Wodka-Und-Wein |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Slawische Seele (Compilation album shared with {{ill|Tatjana Iwanow|de}} and {{ill|Dunja Rajter|de}}){{Citation |title=Various - Slawische Seele |date=1968 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/756024-Various-Slawische-Seele |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1969

:Beim Klang der Balalaika, and in French Au son des Balalaikas{{Citation |title=Iwan Rebroff - Beim Klang Der Balalaika |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/521033-Iwan-Rebroff-Beim-Klang-Der-Balalaika |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Favourites from Mother Russia{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Favourites From Mother Russia |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5693317-Ivan-Rebroff-Favourites-From-Mother-Russia |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Abendglocken (compilation){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Abendglocken |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/498692-Ivan-Rebroff-Abendglocken |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Russische Weihnacht mit Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Russische Weihnacht Mit Ivan Rebroff |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4673249-Ivan-Rebroff-Russische-Weihnacht-Mit-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Ivan Rebroff (includes "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff, Balalaika Ensemble Troika - Ivan Rebroff Accompanied By Balalaika Ensemble Troika |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1238584-Ivan-Rebroff-Balalaika-Ensemble-Troika-Ivan-Rebroff-Accompanied-By-Balalaika-Ensemble-Troika |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:A Russian Christmas{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - A Russian Christmas |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11145149-Ivan-Rebroff-A-Russian-Christmas |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Un Violon sur le toit (soundtrack of French production of Fiddler on the Roof){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Un Violon Sur Le Toit |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/933149-Ivan-Rebroff-Un-Violon-Sur-Le-Toit |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Russische Party (live album){{Citation |title=Iwan Rebroff - Russische Party Mit Iwan Rebroff |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/423653-Iwan-Rebroff-Russische-Party-Mit-Iwan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Festliche Weihnacht (with Regensburger Domspatzen boys' choir){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff Und Die Regensburger Domspatzen - Festliche Weihnacht |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4422017-Ivan-Rebroff-Und-Die-Regensburger-Domspatzen-Festliche-Weihnacht |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:A Festive Christmas (Festliche Weihnacht re-issue){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff, Regensburger Domspatzen Choir - A Festive Christmas |date=2022-12-23 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8584678-Ivan-Rebroff-Regensburger-Domspatzen-Choir-A-Festive-Christmas |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1970

:Kosaken müssen reiten (German-language versions){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Kosaken Müssen Reiten |date=1970 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/59062-Ivan-Rebroff-Kosaken-M%C3%BCssen-Reiten |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Ivan Rebroff{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

;1971

:The Best of Ivan Rebroff (compilation){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Best Of Ivan Rebroff |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2516974-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Best-Of-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Somewhere My Love (English-language versions){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Somewhere, My Love |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/774416-Ivan-Rebroff-Somewhere-My-Love |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Ivan Rebroff Sing Vir Ons (South African album – Gold Disk Award){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Ivan Rebroff Sing Vir Ons |date=1969 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1160005-Ivan-Rebroff-Ivan-Rebroff-Sing-Vir-Ons |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Vir Jou Suid-Afrika (South African album){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Vir Jou Suid-Afrika |date=1974 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9715324-Ivan-Rebroff-Vir-Jou-Suid-Afrika |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Ivan Rebroff (Opera){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Ivan Rebroff |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/726906-Ivan-Rebroff-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Kalinka (soundtrack from the 1971 film {{ill|L'Homme qui vient de la nuit|fr}}, German: Das Lied der Balalaika){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Kalinka |date=1974 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5973513-Ivan-Rebroff-Kalinka |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Mein Russland, du bist schön (German-language versions){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Mein Russland, Du Bist Schön |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/356153-Ivan-Rebroff-Mein-Russland-Du-Bist-Sch%C3%B6n |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Starportrait (compilation){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Starportrait |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/210450-Ivan-Rebroff-Starportrait |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Zwischen Donau und Don (with Dunja Rajter){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff / Dunja Rajter - Zwischen Donau Und Don |date=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11969598-Ivan-Rebroff-Dunja-Rajter-Zwischen-Donau-Und-Don |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1972

:Erinnerungen an Russland (Russian-language versions){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Erinnerungen An Russland |date=1972 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/610151-Ivan-Rebroff-Erinnerungen-An-Russland |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:The Best of Ivan Rebroff Volume II (compilation){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Best Of Ivan Rebroff Vol. II |date=2018-10-23 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5052045-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Best-Of-Ivan-Rebroff-Vol-II |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1973

:Lieder der Welt (Folk songs from around the world)

:Mein altes Russland (lushly arranged Russian folk songs)

:25 Greatest Russian Melodies (compilation with Tatjana Iwanow (2 duets))

:20 Greatest Hits (compilation)

;1974

:Russische Party 2 (live album)

:Memories of Russia

;1975

:Ivan Rebroff at Carnegie Hall (live)

:Reich mir die Hand

:Russische Lieder von Liebe und Tod

;1977

:Midnight in Moscow (Russian-language versions)

:Komm mit nach Hellas (German-language versions of Greek songs)

;1978

:Mitternacht in Moskau (German version of Midnight in Moscow)

;1979

:Ave Maria

:Die Ivan Rebroff Versameling (compilation of South African tracks)

;1980

:Zauber einer großen Stimme – 20 unvergängliche Welterfolge

:Zauber einer großen Stimme – Seine größten Welterfolge

:Die schönsten Lieder dieser Welt (Ivan Rebroff singt 20 unvergängliche Melodien)

:Katharina und Potemkin (TV musical/operetta)

:The Ivan Rebroff Collection (compilation){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Ivan Rebroff Collection |date=1980 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12821278-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Ivan-Rebroff-Collection |access-date=2025-05-24 |language=en}}

CD discography

;1976

:Die Fledermaus conducted by Carlos KleiberDeutsche Grammophon – with Hermann Prey, Júlia Várady, Lucia Popp, René Kollo, Bernd Weikl, Benno KuscheBavarian State Opera Chorus and Bavarian State Orchestra{{Citation |title=Johann Strauss - Julia Varady, Lucia Popp, Hermann Prey, Iwan Rebroff, René Kollo, Bernd Weikl, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Carlos Kleiber - Die Fledermaus |date=1976 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/809840-Johann-Strauss-Julia-Varady-Lucia-Popp-Hermann-Prey-Iwan-Rebroff-Ren%C3%A9-Kollo-Bernd-Weikl-Bayerisches |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1986

:Ivan Rebroff Singt Heitere Klassik{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Ivan Rebroff Singt Heitere Klassik |date=1986 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1253902-Ivan-Rebroff-Ivan-Rebroff-Singt-Heitere-Klassik |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1990

:The Very Best of Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Very Best Of Ivan Rebroff |date=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1018181-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Very-Best-Of-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1991

:The Very Best Of Ivan Rebroff (Volume II){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Very Best Of Ivan Rebroff (Volume II) |date=1991 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9497940-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Very-Best-Of-Ivan-Rebroff-Volume-II |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;1996

:Best of Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Best Of |date=1996 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14228379-Ivan-Rebroff-Best-Of |access-date=2025-05-24 |language=en}}

;2002

:Meine Reise um die Welt{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Meine Reise Um Die Welt |date=2002 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13794862-Ivan-Rebroff-Meine-Reise-Um-Die-Welt |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:The Great Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Great Ivan Rebroff |date=2002 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/2631275-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Great-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Ach Natascha{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

;2003

:Seine Größten Welterfolge{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Zauber Einer Großen Stimme (Seine Größten Welterfolge) |date=1988 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1296338-Ivan-Rebroff-Zauber-Einer-Gro%C3%9Fen-Stimme-Seine-Gr%C3%B6%C3%9Ften-Welterfolge |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

:Golden Stars{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Golden Stars |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14233524-Ivan-Rebroff-Golden-Stars |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;2004

:Around The World With Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Around The World With Ivan Rebroff |date=2004 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14242767-Ivan-Rebroff-Around-The-World-With-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;2005

:Stimme Aus Gold{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Stimme Aus Gold |date=2005 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13288541-Ivan-Rebroff-Stimme-Aus-Gold |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

;2006

:Ivan Rebroff – 75 Jahre (Meine Schönsten Lieder){{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - 75 Jahre (Meine Schönsten Lieder) |date=2006 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1512998-Ivan-Rebroff-75-Jahre-Meine-Sch%C3%B6nsten-Lieder |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}

Compilation albums

  • Festliche Weihnachten{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Festliche Weihnachten (Festliche Weihnachtszeit) |date=2000 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14228853-Ivan-Rebroff-Festliche-Weihnachten-Festliche-Weihnachtszeit |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Wunschkonzert{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Wunschkonzert |date=2001 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/13846131-Ivan-Rebroff-Wunschkonzert |access-date=2025-05-24 |language=en}}
  • The Art of Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Art Of Ivan Rebroff |date=2002 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/16250618-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Art-Of-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • The Best of Russian Folk Songs Vol. 1{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Best Of Russian Folk Songs Vol. 1 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/16254791-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Best-Of-Russian-Folk-Songs-Vol-1 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • The Best of Russian Folk Songs Vol. 2{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - The Best Of Russian Folk Songs Vol. 2 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/16254950-Ivan-Rebroff-The-Best-Of-Russian-Folk-Songs-Vol-2 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Erinnerungen an das letzte Jahrhundert{{Citation |title=Ural Kosaken Chor - Erinnerungen An Das Letzte Jahrhundert |date=2001 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/17738404-Ural-Kosaken-Chor-Erinnerungen-An-Das-Letzte-Jahrhundert |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Der Zarewitsch{{Citation |title=Franz Lehár - Lucia Popp, René Kollo, Elfriede Höbarth, Norbert Orth, Ivan Rebroff, Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Münchner Rundfunkorchester ; Heinz Wallberg - Der Zarewitsch |date=July 1984|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/16286784-Franz-Leh%C3%A1r-Lucia-Popp-Ren%C3%A9-Kollo-Elfriede-H%C3%B6barth-Norbert-Orth-Ivan-Rebroff-Chor-Des-Bayerischen |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Weihnachten mit Ivan Rebroff{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Weihnachten Mit Ivan Rebroff |date=2020-12-25 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3356063-Ivan-Rebroff-Weihnachten-Mit-Ivan-Rebroff |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Die schönste Stimme Rußlands{{Citation |title=Ivan Rebroff - Die Schönste Stimme Russlands |date=1999 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11253962-Ivan-Rebroff-Die-Sch%C3%B6nste-Stimme-Russlands |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}
  • Kosakenträume{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}