Margarita Lilova

Margarita Lilowa (26 July 1935 – 13 April 2012)) was a Bulgarian-Austrian opera singer (mezzo-soprano/alto).

Born in Cherven Bryag, (Bulgaria), Lilowa studied singing and choral conducting at the National Academy of Music in Sofia with Maria Zibulka and Michail Jankow. In 1959 she made her debut as Maddalena in Rigoletto at the opera of Varna. In 1962 she made a guest appearance in London, afterwards she was engaged by the Vienna State Opera and on January 1, 1963 made her debut as Amneris in Aida. She belonged to the Staatsoper-Ensemble until 1995 and sang 46 roles in 1135 performances, including Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro 143 times and Annina inDer Rosenkavalier115 times .

Lilowa also sang for twelve yearsat the Komische Oper Berlin and eleven years at the San Francisco Opera in the USA. She also appeared at the Salzburg Festival from 1965. In 1992 she started teaching at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

In 1969 she was awarded the Berliner Kritikerpreis and in 1984 she was appointed chamber singer.

Lilowa died in Vienna on 13 April 2012 at age 76.