Ivo Bobul, real name - Ivan Vasylovych Bobul (born 17 June 1953, Porubne, now Terebleche, Hlyboka district, Chernivtsi region) is a Ukrainian singer (baritone), composer, teacher, People's Artist of Ukraine.
He was born in the village of Porubne, now Terebleche, Hlyboka district, Chernivtsi region, into a large family of Ukrainians of Romanian origin.
In 1968, he graduated from an eight-year school and entered the vocational school No. 76 in Sloviansk, Donetsk region. In 1969, he took part in an amateur art competition between schools, where he won the title of laureate. In 1972, Bobul was drafted into the Soviet Army. During his service, he gave concerts in military units. He became a laureate of the Military Song Contest. The magazine "Viysko Ukrayiny" published an interview with Ivo Bobul by Honoured Artist of Ukraine Volodymyr Melnykov about the years of military service of the outstanding singer.
In 1979, Bobul was invited by composer Hromtsev to join the Vocal and Dance Company "Morye" of the Sevastopol Branch of the Crimean State Philharmonic.
1980 - work in the Vocal Ensemble "Cheremosh" of the Chernivtsi Regional Philharmonic. 1981 - transferred to the soloist of the All-Ukrainian Ensemble "Zhyva Voda" of the Chernivtsi Regional Philharmonic. While working in the band, he recorded his first disc with songs by composer Levko Dutkivsky, which later became hits: "If You Love, Love", "Starry Night", "My Land, My Land", "I Saw the Mountains".
In 1984, he worked at the Ternopil Philharmonic as a soloist and director of the Vivaton Vocal and Dance Company. Since 1997, he has been a soloist of the Chernivtsi Regional Philharmonic. While working in these ensembles, he took part in many competitions and festivals:
1980 - "Young Voices" competition (Ternopil),
1982 - competition for the best performance of songs of the countries of the Socialist Commonwealth (Yalta),
1983 - Soviet Song Contest (Sochi).
Many songs from Ivo Bobul's repertoire became folk hits: "The Well of the Soul", "Moon Wheel", "If You Love, Love", "I'll Come Back to Ukraine", "To the Violinist", "The Only One" and many others. In 2002, the 6 Seconds studio released four CDs: "The Golden Collection", "Emigrant", "The Heaven of Your Eyes", and "Poplar Love".
Ivo Bobul entered the professional stage in 1979 as a member of Valeriy Hromtsev's Simferopol-based vocal group "More" (before that, he studied at the Chernivtsi Music College and sang in restaurants). A year later, he returned to his native Bukovyna to sing with the Cheremosh Vocal Ensemble at the Chernivtsi Philharmonic, then moved to Zhyva Voda (where he replaced Lilia Sandules). In 1983, the new head of the Philharmonic Levko Dutkivsky became interested in the singer and wrote a series of songs for him ("Starry Night", "If You Love, Love", "I Saw the Mountains", "My Land"), which were quickly released by Melodiya on minion. Then, for a long time, Ivan Bobul (as he was then known) was not heard - in 1988, he was transferred to the Ternopil Philharmonic, where he sang with the Vivaton Vocal Group and gained only regional popularity.
He returned to the national audience only in 1990 with the most famous of his songs, "I'll Come Back to Ukraine" by Ostap Havrysh. Moscow composer Oleksandr Morozov noticed Bobul and invited him to his music centre, which was then located in Cherkasy. His songs "Stare Dzherelo", "Ridna Khata", "Holuba Voda", "Moonshot" made Ivo Bobul one of the most popular performers of traditional Ukrainian pop. Ivo Bobul's first video album "Soul Well" was filmed in Cherkasy. In 1991, Ivo returned to Chernivtsi and began singing with Lilia Sandules: "The Shore of Love", "And the Linden Trees Blossom", "The Ray of My Heart". In 1992, Bobul moved to the Etude Theatre in Kyiv. However, they sang more often in America than at home in Ukraine. In 1995, Ivo Bobul was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Ukraine, and in early 1998, he became People's Artist. On the occasion of the singer's 50th birthday, Artur Records released three CDs of his best works: "Emigrant", "Poplar Love", "Heaven of Your Eyes".
He underwent surgery to remove a kidney.
In the spring of 2016, he joined the patriotic flash mob #ILoveMyCountry, publishing a video message in which he explained why he loves Ukraine.
As of 2016, he is a pro bono assistant to the People's Deputy of Ukraine Mykola Fedoruk (People's Front faction).
It is worth noting the composers and poets with whom the singer has collaborated throughout his career: Ostap Havrysh, Volodymyr Domshynskyi, Oleksandr Zlotnyk, Marian Hadenko, Hennadii Tatarchenko, Vadym Kryshchenko, Petro Maha, Oleksandr Vratariov, Oleksandr Vysokyi, Stepan Halabarda, and others.
Ivo Bobul's repertoire also includes gems of world classics, which he gives his own style. These are such songs as: "Christina", "In Memory of Caruso", "Yesterday", "Luna Tu", "Day passes, night passes", "How young we were", "Fall in love", "Espera", "Liberta" and many others.
In her work, Bobul mostly sings about love and patriotism.
In February 2023, Ivo Bobul expressed his views on women in an interview with journalist Emma Antoniuk. In his opinion, women "have become mercantile" and "think only about money", while "good girls stay at home". Bobul emphasised that he was relying on his own experience, and after Emma tried to point out the offensiveness of these judgements, Bobul left the interview.
Pedagogical activity
Bobul's creative and pedagogical activity is connected with teaching vocals at the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Circus and Variety Arts. In 2006, he received a red master's degree from the Faculty of Music and Pedagogy of the Chernivtsi National University, and has been teaching vocals to students since then.
He was the head of the Department of Variety and Academic Vocal and Sound Engineering at the Institute of Contemporary Art of the National Academy of Management of Culture and Arts. Professor of the department.
Public activity
In May 2018, Ivo Bobul announced his intention to run for president. However, he later denied his statement.
Awards
1995 - the title "Honoured Artist of Ukraine";
1998 - the title of People's Artist of Ukraine;
2000 - a personalised star on the Alley of Stars (Chernivtsi);
2001 - the Cross of Honour "Law. Honour. Courage";
2002 - commemorative medal "10 years of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine";
2002 - Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, first class, All-Ukrainian Foundation for Promotion of International Communication "Ukrainian People's Embassy";
2003 - the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, V degree;
2004 - the Cross of Honour "Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky" of the Ukrainian Foundation for Cooperation;
2013 - Order of Merit III degree.
Discography
2002 - "Poplar Love"
2002 - "The Heaven of Your Eyes"
2002 - "Emigrant"
2004 - "Songs for You"
2004 - "The River of Life"
2006 - "You are my dream"
Interesting facts
On the occasion of Ivo Bobul's 60th birthday, a portrait of him was cross-stitched, consisting of 63600 crosses and 112 colours. The work was done by hand by Chernivtsi embroiderer Iryna Repka.
Bobul became famous when the band "Dance on Congo Square" created a sarcastic song "Ivo Bobul", where the singer was presented as a superhero. On 14 June 2015, TNMK performed this song together with Bobul at a concert.
Numerous memes are associated with Ivo Bobul's persona
