Elena Nicolai

Stoyanka Savova Nikolova (), best known by her stage name Elena Nicolai () (24 January 1905 – 23 October 1993), was a Bulgarian operatic mezzo-soprano.
Early Life and training.
Nicolai was born in the village of Tzerovo, Pazardzhik, Bulgaria. She spent her childhood in another Bulgarian town, Panagurishte. At the age of 19, she moved to Milan to study opera, first with Vincenzo Pintorno and later with Ettore Pozzoli.
Operatic career.
She made her operatic debut as Maddalena in Verdi's "Rigoletto" in 1932. She spent 20 seasons as a leading mezzo-soprano at Milan's Teatro alla Scala. After her retirement from opera, she became an actress and had a short film career, starring in seven movies in the period between 1963-68.
She recorded complete operas for RAI and EMI: Eboli in "Don Carlos" with Antonietta Stella, Boris Christoff, and Tito Gobbi stands out among the others, which include the Grand Vestale in "La vestale" and Cuniza in "Oberto", both with Maria Vitale, Santuzza in "Cavalleria rusticana" with Mario del Monaco, the Principessa in "Adriana Lecouvreur" with Mafalda Favero, and Preziosilla in "La forza del destino" with Callas. She sang Wagnerian roles, including Brünnhilde in 'Die Walküre' at the Verona Arena.
Honours.
Nicolai Peak in Antarctica is named after Elena Nicolai.