Starosel - Smilyana Zaharieva knew she had a gift when she saw her audience tremble or cry during her performances.
Now an official Guinness world record confirms that the Bulgarian singer has one of the most powerful voices on the planet, which can stay pitch perfect despite being as loud as a rock concert.
Zaharieva says she burst into tears when she received the official Guinness world record certificate last month, confirming she had achieved the loudest mezzo-soprano vocal note.
"When I saw the monitor reading 113.8 decibels, it surprised me," the 48-year-old told AFP of her record-setting attempt last September.
Irish teacher Annalisa Flanagan holds the world's loudest shouting record with 121 decibels (dB), but there was no previous singing record.
The lively Bulgarian from the southern city of Plovdiv faced a series of tough requirements.
Zaharieva had to sing in a quiet studio and go over 110 dB, the average human discomfort threshold, with the sound meter placed 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) away from her while also holding the note for a minimum of five seconds.
According to popular noise level charts Zaharieva's achievement of 113.8 dB roughly amounts to the same loudness you would hear at a rock concert, a symphony orchestra or an emergency vehicle siren.
"The Bulgarian folklore voice is characterised by its power," says Dora Hristova, the longtime choir master of the world-famous The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices.
"Folk singers are born with this physiology, with this natural voice."
As a child, Zaharieva studied folk singing in the National School of Folklore Art in the Rhodope mountains in southern Bulgaria before pursuing a degree from the Plovdiv Conservatory of Music.
For several years she was part of another women's choir, The Great Voices of Bulgaria, touring the world.
"When I sang people would tremble or cry," she said.
But in 1996 she put an end to her career.
"One day when I returned home, my little daughter didn't recognise me. That broke my heart," she said.
Opening a tour agency with her husband, she only sang for her family and close friends. "But I felt a void. My voice pushed to resurface," she recalls.
In 2015, she set herself the challenge of singing with 101 traditional Rhodope bagpipes, the "kaba gaida" - and her voice held its own.
Svetla Stanilova, head of the Plovdiv Conservatory of Music, recognised Zaharieva's "amazing vocal abilities" and "exceptional register".
"The loudness of the voice is an individual quality but it is not the most important one... beauty depends on the voice's timbre," explains Stanilova, one of several experts present at the Guinness World Records attempt.
"From all the 26 classes that I've taught, I haven't heard another folklore voice with a similar range."
Sofia opera director Plamen Kartaloff was more Skeptical on the record: "What a funny idea to measure one's voice!" he said, adding several opera singers known for their voices -- perhaps more powerful than Zaharieva's -- never had theirs measured.
Keen on yoga and interested in Eastern meditation techniques, Zaharieva wants to explore the curative effects of sound and is seeking to collaborate with other artists. She has already asked American pop-star Madonna.
"This voice that has been given to me, I want to use it to help people and find a message to convey," said the mother-of-two and recent grandmother of twins.
Zaharieva uses the crystal lyre instrument, known for its soothing, relaxing and meditative effects, and a chain of large bells -- "chanove" - from the Rhodope mountains in sessions she both participates in and organises.
"Each sound corresponds to an energy centre in the body and to an organ," the singer explains, adding various combinations of sound can cure illnesses.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of music, particularly vocal performance, I can unequivocally attest to the exceptional nature of Smilyana Zaharieva's talent and her recent Guinness World Record achievement. Zaharieva's prowess in the realm of mezzo-soprano vocals is nothing short of extraordinary, and her ability to maintain pitch perfection at volumes comparable to a rock concert is a testament to her unparalleled vocal control.
The article outlines the meticulous requirements Zaharieva had to meet to secure her place in the Guinness World Records. Singing in a quiet studio, reaching a staggering 113.8 decibels, and sustaining the note for a minimum of five seconds are no small feats. It's noteworthy that she surpassed the average human discomfort threshold, which is set at 110 dB, showcasing not only her vocal power but also her capacity to push the boundaries of conventional expectations.
The piece delves into the unique characteristics of Bulgarian folklore singing, emphasizing the inherent power in the Bulgarian voice. Dora Hristova, the choir master of The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices, highlights the natural strength that folk singers like Zaharieva possess from a physiological standpoint. Zaharieva's background in studying folk singing and her extensive experience as part of choirs such as The Great Voices of Bulgaria further underscore her deep connection to the rich musical traditions of her homeland.
Zaharieva's journey, from studying folk singing in the Rhodope mountains to her decision to step away from her career in 1996, adds a personal and emotional dimension to her story. The fact that her singing had the power to evoke strong emotional reactions, making people tremble or cry, speaks volumes about the profound impact of her vocal performances.
The article also introduces skepticism from Sofia opera director Plamen Kartaloff, who questions the idea of measuring one's voice and emphasizes that some opera singers, possibly with more powerful voices, have never undergone such measurements. This skepticism adds a layer of complexity to the discussion around the significance of vocal measurements and the subjective nature of evaluating a singer's abilities.
Zaharieva's interest in exploring the curative effects of sound, coupled with her keenness to collaborate with artists like Madonna, reflects her broader vision for her gift. The mention of her use of the crystal lyre instrument and the chain of large bells from the Rhodope mountains in sessions aimed at promoting well-being and healing adds a spiritual and holistic dimension to Zaharieva's approach to her craft.
In conclusion, Smilyana Zaharieva's Guinness World Record for the loudest mezzo-soprano vocal note not only solidifies her as a remarkable talent but also opens up avenues for exploring the potential therapeutic applications of her powerful voice. Her journey from the quiet studio to seeking collaborations with global pop icons like Madonna underscores the transformative and universal nature of music.
