Zornitza Popova


composer, contrabassist

26.11.1928 – 02.06.1994Bulgaria

Zornitza Popova graduated from the Music Theory Faculty of the State Academy of Music, studying double bass simultaneously. While still a student, she joined the orchestra of the State Music Theatre where she played up to 1974. She began composing pop music in the mid – 1960s. Her first composition – the orchestral piece Joke – was performed in 1964 by the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio, conducted by Milcho Leviev. Two years later Kiril Semov sang his first song Roundabout. During the following years she composed hundreds of songs, most of them on lyrics by Yordan Yankov.

She authored over 500 songs and orchestral pieces. Dozens of singers made their name as performers of her songs. Among them one may count Maria Neykova, Mimi Ivanova, Donika Venkova, Georgi Hristov (“100 Per Cent Love”), duet Rhyton, Kichka Bodurova, Veselin Marinov, Rositza Kirilova (“Barefooted on the Asphalt”), Ivelina Balcheva(“The Mannequin”), etc. She was prizewinner at the festivals The Golden Orpheus (1984,1988), Songs about Burgas (1987), the radio competition Spring (1980, 1987, 1988), the TV competition Melody of the Year, the Schlagerfestival in Dresden (1979), the Pop Festival in Cavan, Eire. She was a permanent member of the jury of the Songs about the Sea Competition in Rostok (Germany). In 1983 an album with her songs was released.

Creativity

Awarded songs at the festivals:
The Golden Orpheus Festival:
With No Despair, performed by Georgi Hristov (1988, first prize);
Me and You without Him, performed by Georgi Hristov (1992, first prize);
Love without Mercy, performed by Evelina Balcheva (1993, third prize).

Spring Radio Competition:
Every Beginning, performed by Biser Kirov (1980, third prize);
You’re a Little Bit Strange Today, performed by Rositza Kirilova (1987, second prize);
Something Incredible, performed by Rositza Kirilova and Georgi Hristov – (1988; first prize of the public).

The Burgas and the Sea Festival:
Song about the Old Sailor (1987, first prize) and Sailor’s Love (prize of the Union of Bulgarian Composers), performed by Georgi Hristov.

The TV competition Melody of the Year:
Sun’s in My Hair, performed by Mimi Ivanova and Razvigor Popov (1976).

The Schlagerfestival, Dresden:
So Much Joy, performed by Kichka Bodurova (1979, third prize).

The Pop Festival in Cavan, Eire:
Fearing Love, performed by Evelina Balcheva (1993, third prize).