Hundreds of people gathered at the funeral service held for the Bulgarian-born opera prima donna Ghena Dimitrova Thursday.

The world-famous soprano passed away on June 11 in Milan, Italy, at the age of 64. Her remains were transported to Bulgaria Tuesday evening. Dimitrova's last will was to be buried in her homeland.

Prominent Bulgarian singers, politicians and friends came to pay their last respects to the prima at the edifice of the National Opera in Sofia. Opera singer Nikola Gyuzelev referred to Dimitrova as "the greatest singer with a phenomenal voice."

Not only did she have a magnificent voice and a natural gift but she could also perfect it by her extraordinary will, said Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

In Dimitrova's honour the National Opera will perform Verdi's "Requiem" on June 19. The prima's funeral will take place at the Central Sofia Graveyard on Friday.

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