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Sandro Nebieridze (2002 - )

Sandro is studying at Tbilisi Music Seminary of V. Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory. His teacher is L. Sanikidze.Apart from piano classes, he attends the composition class of M. Virsaladze. Sandro composes opera and piano music and music for other instruments.
Grand Prix in the Grand Piano Competition (30 April - 5 May 2016). He is the winner of the Grand Prix in the Mariinsky International Piano Festival (St.-Petersburg, Russia) Participation in “Stars on Baikal” International Music Festival (Irkutsk, Russia). Participation in Denis Matsuev’s project of the 2016/2017 concert season. Participated in Vladimir Spivakov’s project for 2016/2017 concert season. Participating in the project of the Moscow Philharmonic Society of 2016/2017 concert season. Special prize from Rosconcert – participation in the International Tariverdiev Music Festival in Tbilisi.

Inga Kashakashvili  - classical pianist (1974  - )


She studied at Tbilisi V. Sarajishvili State Conservatoire (Georgia) and DePaul University (Chicago, IL). In 1991 she won a prize at the New Port International Competition for Young Pianists in Wales, UK. She appeared in the renowned Barbican Center in London as well as in Cardiff and Bristol. That same year, Ms. Kashakashvili was invited to perform as a guest artist in Newport's Tredegar House.

Inga Kashakashvili participated in the Leipzig Music Festival and toured in Germany in 2000. In 2001 she visited the United States for the first time and participated at the Flier International Piano Competition where she won the Third Prize. At the same, she was invited to perform at the Piano Summer Festival in New Paltz, NY. In 2003 she appeared as a guest artist at the United Sounds of America Festival, dedicated to the 9/11 tragedy. Her recitals were recorded and broadcast by Chicago Classical Radio WFMT. In 2008 she won the Artists International Debut Award and was presented at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall with a solo recital. Inga Kashakashvili lives in New York City.

Inga Kashakashvili won the Artists International Debut Award and was presented at Carnegie Hall, New York (2008). She is a prizewinner of the Jacob Flier International Piano Competition, New Paltz, NY (2001), and Newport International Competition for Young Pianists, Wales, UK (1991). Based on individual accomplishments and contributions to society Inga Kashakashvili was listed in the International Madison Who's Who (2006-2007). She received Mannes College the New School for Music Scholarship Award in 2006; DePaul University Full Scholarship Award in 2003-2005; DePaul University Performance Award in 2003; and the Festival Piano Summer at New Paltz Award in 2001, among others.

 Giorgi Latso - classical pianist (born Giorgi Latsabidze, 1978 -)

He is a classical pianist, composer, and doctor of musical arts. He has won piano competitions and received awards in many countries. His concerts have been broadcast on radio and
television in Europe, Asia, and America. He has been an American citizen since 2012.

Latso won prizes in the Yehudi Menuhin Federation Competition in Austria, the Young Artist International Piano Competition in Los Angeles, at Ennio Porrino International Competition in Italy, and the Rubinstein International Competition in France. He received the Vladimir Spivakov Award (Moscow virtuosi) in 2001, the Georgian Presidential Prize in 1999/2002, the German Marion Dönhoff Trust Award in 2002, DAAD the German Academic Exchange Award in 2004, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Academic Achievement Recognition of Excellence Award in 2004, Herbert Batliner Trust Award in 2005, the USC Keyboard Studies Department Award in 2007 and 2011, the American philanthropist Carol Hogel Music Scholarship in 2008, H.S.H. Princess Marie Aglaë of Liechtenstein Award in 2009. In January 2013, Latso was honored as a Steinway Artist by Steinway & Sons in New York City.
www.latsabidze.com  

 Tamriko Siprashvili - classical pianist  (1963 -

Tamriko began piano studies at the age of 3. At age 5, she entered the Special Music School for gifted children in her home city of Tbilisi, Georgia. She graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1985. Tamriko is known for her romantic repertoire, especially that of Robert Schumann. She has recorded several albums for Nimbus Records, among them "Variations on a Theme by Chopin Opus 22, and Variations on a Theme by Corelli opus 42, by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Currently, she lives in Pleasanton California, USA.

 Irma Svanadze - classical pianist  (1976 -)

Irma maintains an active performance schedule in both the US and Europe and is teaching in Eastern Europe, France, Belgium, and the United States.
Initially trained in the Russian Piano Tradition, Irma continued her education in France at the Saint-Maur Conservatory, where in 2000 she was awarded two Gold Medals – in piano and chamber music

 Ketevan Kartvelishvili - classical pianist  (


Ketevan Kartvelishvili gave her first performance with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra at the age of  13, performing Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No.1, under the baton of Jansugh Kakhidze. During her studies at the Tbilisi Music School for Gifted Children, she performed the following piano concertos with orchestra: Grieg, Mozart No.27, and Liszt No.1.
Ms. Kartvelishvili was awarded the Third Prize and a Laureate title in the 5th Marco Polo International Piano Competition held in Greece in 1999.
Ms. Kartvelishvili joined the Toradze Piano Studio at Indiana University at South Bend to pursue an Artist Diploma in the fall of 2009. On February 27, 2010, she performed in a live broadcast of Sergei Rachmaninoff's piano works on WFMT in Chicago. In December 2010 she was awarded a Performer Certificate for her solo recital at which she performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7.

On March 5, 2011, Ketevan Kartvelishvili won the First Prize at the William C. Byrd Young Artists International Piano Competition held in Flint, MI. The following year on March 3, 2012, she won First Prize at the 36th Young Artists Piano Concerto Competition in Kankakee, IL. On January 26, 2013, Kartvelishvili won the First Prize in the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition.

On July 17, 2013, she won First Prize in the Jacob Flier International Piano Competition in New Paltz, NY. On January 28, 2012, she performed in "Whiting" Hall with the Flint Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Enrique Arturo Diemecke. The same year Ms. Kartvelishvili performed in "New Chapel"

Hall with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with conductor Allan Dennis. In May 2012, she performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2  in the Toradze Piano Studio concert with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Tsung Yeh. On July 26th, 2013, she performed Liszt's Concerto No. 1 with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, conducted by Vladimir Feltsman.


http://ketevankartvelishvili.com

Khatia Buniatishvili - classical pianist (1987 -)

Khatia Buniatishvili was introduced to the piano at an early age by her mother, an enthusiastic music lover. She gave her first performance as a soloist with an orchestra at the age of six. Then she was invited to give performances in Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Russia, Israel, and the USA.

In 2003 Khatia won a special prize at the Horowitz International Competition for Young Pianists in Kiev as well as first prize at the Foundation to Assist Young Georgian Musicians competition set up by Elisabeth Leonskaya.

Since 2003 she studied at Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts. Winner of the Bronze Medal at the 12th Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition in 2008, she was also distinguished as the Best Performer of a Chopin piece and as Audience Favourite.

In 2011 Khatia Buniatishvili made her first recording with a Liszt recital on Sony Classical, followed by her first recording accompanied with orchestra for a Chopin album.

Khatia Buniatishvili speaks five languages.
www.khatiabuniatishvili.com 

Valerian (Vakuna) Shiukashvili - classical pianist (1975 -)

Pianist Valerian (Vakuna) Shiukashvili is a winner of several international competitions and festivals and the owner of ten grand prizes. The 30-year-old pianist lives alone in his house. His parents sometimes visit him from Moscow. Recently, his first video appeared and it was a success. He played a part in Victor Dolidze's opera, "Keto da Kote”, called "Georgian Dance" Nino Lapiashvili, director of the video, said that Shiukashvili's style of playing is so fast and unusual that she had to think a lot how to arrange the video. "I realized that something unusual should be done. I showed only his fingers and the keyboard. The goal for us was to show his dynamics while playing. It was done in general," said Lapiashvili. Traducing the video was important, I think. People can see and hear me only at the concerts. Now I'm introduced to a wide audience," said Shiukashvili.

Shiukashvili's favorite composers are Bach and Mozart. These two, and also Scarlatti and Chopin, were in his performance at a concert in Tbilisi Conservatory on January 19, 2007. "It was a special concert for me. It was dedicated to Natlisgeba (Orthodox Christian's holiday) and the great honor for me was that the Patriarch attended the concert," said Shiukashvili. He said his relationship with the Patriarch is very special. He was invited to the New Year's dinner at the Patriarch's apartment, with only those who were closest to the religious leader. 

Nino Khutsishvili, a college friend of Shiukashvili, emphasized his skills and ability to communicate: "As a professional, his technique of playing is excellent. What distinguished him from others is his unique sound. And as a friend, I can tell that he is always available for us, everybody loves his sense of humor. He has a lot of friends with different professions and mentalities. 

Irma Gigani - classical pianist (1996 -)

Born in 1996 in Tbilisi. In 2001 enrolled in Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili  Central Music School At this age she played J.S. Bach's f-moll piano concerto. In 2002 she became a laureate and winner of the Grand prize at the Minerbio International Competition, in Italy. Then she participated in the marathon of "Gifted Children" at Liana Isakadze's International Art Festival. In 2003 at the 3rd Republican Competition of musician-Performers, she was awarded a special prize by the Embassy of USA in Georgia. Since 2003 she has participated in the festivals held by V. Spivakov Foundation. She is a scholar of V.Spivakov and UNESCO International Fund. 

Ankara Simphony Orchestra in Ankara (Turkey), organized by V. Spivakov Fund, and her recital at Nice Opera Theatre ( France, organized by UNESCO. Since 2009 Irma has been studying at Tbilisi V. Sarajishivli Musical Seminary under Professor Tengiz Amirejibi. She issued her first CD with Israel Camerata (conductor Avner Biron). In 2010 she participated in F. Chopin Competition and won First Prize and a Special Award for the best performance of the Georgian composer's masterpiece. Irma is the 4th prize winner of the Aarhus International Piano Competition (Denmark) 2015.

 Elisso Bolkvadze - classical pianist (1967 -)

She performed her first concert with an orchestra at the age of seven. She is a winner of numerous international piano competitions such as:

Van Cliburn Competition (USA), Vianna da Motta (Lisbon), Axa International Piano Competition (Dublin), Marguerite Long Competition - special prize for the best interpretation of French music (Paris). Elisso Bolkvadze was awarded with "The Medal of Georgian Government” – one of the most prestigious national honors in her country of birth.

 Alissa (Alice) Tavdidishvili - classical pianist (1984 -)

Alice had a tremendous success in Italy, UK, Germany, and France. She transformed the greatness of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, and showed fantastic technique and talent. Now Alice studies at the PURCELL SCHOOL in the UK. 1996 October, 71h International Piano Competition For Young Pianists, Rome. Italy - 3rd Prize. 1998 September, 2nd International Music Competition Monterosa -Kawai -Varallo Sesia (VC) Italy - 2nd Prize. 1998 September, VI International Music Competition Premio Vittoria Caffa Righetti, Italy- 1st Prize. 

2000 April, World Piano Competition London under the patronage of HRH Prince of Wales.  

"Alice is a very gifted pianist and deserves every assistance." (Paul Badura Skoda)

“Alice Tavdidishvili seems to be one of the most gifted young pianists. Professional education, excellent manual technique, and sensitive ear that allow her to create a wide spectrum of the piano tone colors.” (Vladimir Krainev).

At the age of just 15, she was selected from 600 pianists worldwide to be one of the 24 finalists to compete in the World Piano Competition, organized under the patronage of HRH the Prince of Wales in the Purcell Room in London. Alissa's performance, as one of the youngest players in this competition, won her a full scholarship to study at the Purcell School of Music.

She continued her studies in London at the Royal Academy and Trinity College of Music, where she graduated with a 1st class honors in 2007. She is currently studying at Trinity College of Music under Professor Martino Tirimo.

In 2000 she performed the Liszt Piano Concerto no 2 with the Georgian State Symphony Orchestra in the Big Hall of the Georgian State Conservatory, conducted by Roman Brogli. Other performances include solo recitals in the Georgian State Conservatory, Sweden, Purcell Room, Royal Opera House Linbury Studios, London Coliseum, Inn Chapel, Regents Hall, the Reform Club, and the Wigmore Hall. Her future performances will include venues such as South Bank Centre. She is much in demand for private recitals including a recent performance for the Prince of Monaco at the Ritz Hotel. 

Georgian State Piano Trio

 Georgian State Piano Trio was established in 1992. The Trio drew the attention of Georgian musical society both audience and reviewers from the very date of its foundation. The Trio participated in various concerts, and international festivals and became an inseparable part of Georgian instrumental music raising the ensemble to new heights. The Trio continues to tour regularly. They have already performed in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Holland, Russia etc. The repertoire of the Trio generally includes classical music as well as pieces by modern Georgian composers. Their popularization is of high importance for the ensemble. Georgian State Piano Trio's refined performing manner received high appraisal from mass media all around the world.

"...the Trio has got a really wonderful staff', who not once made the Georgian music famous...".

Eduard Shevardnadze - President Of Georgia.
"... magical temperament and brilliant performing of the brilliant ensemble... "
" NRZ Niderrhein " – Germany.
"...feeling and music in harmony, exploring the beauty of Georgian instrumental music. .." 
"Die Sudostschweiz " – Switzerland.
"...the group is characterized by an emotionally strained, great orchestral sound and convincing phrase...”.
"Corriere della Serra” – Italy
"...the Trio performed Azarashvili 's music with colossal expression and fiery temperament..."
"Muzikalnaia Jizn" – Russia

Mikheil Kiria (baritone)

Mikheil Kiria was born in Zugdidi (Georgia), and graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatory in 2010. In 2005 he took part in Festivals in Russia and Georgia, and in 2007 obtained a scholarship from the Paata Burchuladze International Foundation. In 2010 he won the First Prize at the Lado Ataneli International Competition and debuted at the Opera Studio of Tbilisi's Conservatory in as Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata. In 2011 he appeared as Conte Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro.
From 2011 to 2013 he was a member of the Academy of Lyric Opera of La Scala where he prepared the roles performed with Academy and repertoire with Renato Bruson. On the Milanese stage, he performed Blansac in La Scala di Seta, Bob in The Little Sweep, and Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola and in Muscat within the Academy tournèe Pistola in Falstaff.
Among his recent and future engagements: are the cover of Poliuto at the Glyndebourne Festival where he will be back next Summer with the one of Harasta in The Cunning Little Wixe, Ping in Turandot at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana with the Cracow Philarmonic Orchestra, Geronimo in Il Matrimonio Segreto in a Needherland tour, Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia at Deutsche Oper in Berlin. He will be Falstaff in the next Verdi Festival in Parma in 2017, Marco in Gianni Schicchi at the Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam, and Don Magnifico in Cenerentola in Frankfurt.

Gocha Abuladze (1985 -) bariton

Gocha was born in Georgia. In 2004 he graduated from the Vocal Faculty of the Kutaisi M. Balanchivadze Musical College and entered V. Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory Academic singing faculty class Prof. Nodar Andghuladze. While at the conservatory he obtained the Makvala Kasrashvili, Maia Tomadze, and Paata Burchuladze scholarships, and earned a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance. After Tbilisi State Conservatory graduation Mr. Abuladze continued his education at the Osimo Academy. While studying there (2010-2011) he participated in master classes from Raina Kabaivanska, Lella Cuberli, Alessandro Benini, Carlo Morganti, and Harriet Lowson (piano).
Mr. Abuladze sang several roles in the Conservatory Opera Studio. From 2005 to 2009 Abuladze sang the roles of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Figaro in Barbiere di Siviglia. He first appeared at the Z. Paliashvili Tbilisi State Opera in 2009. In 2010 he made his debut in G. Verdi’s La Traviata as George Germont, which he also performed in Ferrara, Italy in 2011. In January 2012 he sang Tonio in Franco Zeffirelli’sproduction of Pagliacci at Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, conducted by Julian Kovachev. Abuladze also has an active career in concert performance.
Gocha Abuladze also took part in many festivals, including the International Festival of Chamber Music in Tbilisi (solo recital, 2010, accompanied by Vazha Chachava) and ArtGeni in 2006 organized by the Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II. In 2007-2008 he attended Montserrat Caballe's master class, after which he was selected to sing in a gala concert with Caballe in the Mozart Hall in Zaragoza.
While studying in Italy, he successfully participated in ten international vocal competitions and festivals. He was the winner of the international vocal competition “Citta di Ferrara" in 2011 and also received the special prize of Daniele Barioni. In 2012, competing with more than 200 singers, he won the Critic Prize of the Zandonai competition in Riva del Garda to his collection. He also participated in master classes from Mietta Sighele and Veriano Luchetti as 123 High Street, Town, County, Postcode 123-456-7890 part of the competition. Mr. Abuladze took part in a concert performance conducted by Maestro Marco Boemi. Mr. Abuladze won third prize for two consecutive years in the Magda Olivero international voice competition, receiving the awards from Mrs. Olivero herself in 2012 and 2013. Mr. Abuladze was allowed to perform the role of Iago in the Ravena Festival, given by Mrs. Christina Mazzavillani Muti. He also earned the Bastianini special prize for the best baritone.
In 2015 Abuladze was named the season’s best singer of Theater Magdeburg. Past engagements include Masetto/Don Giovanni in Montpellier (2013), Tomsky/The Queen of Spades at Grange Park Opera (2014), Figaro/Le Nozze di Figaro, Figaro/Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Marcello/ La Boheme, Guglielmo/Cosi fan tutte, as well as Giorgio Germont/La Traviata at Theater Magdeburg, and Tonio/Pagliacci in Tirana, with Inva Mula in the role of Nedda.
In very successful 2016 he successfully debuted four new roles: Renato/Un Ballo in Maschera, the title role of Rigoletto in the Tirana State Opera, Ondino/La Campana Sommersa by Ettorino Resphighi, where he had the great fortune of working with Maestro Donato Renzetti, and Schaunard/La Boheme. In September 2016 he made his fifth debut as Rodrigo in Don Carlos at the Teatro Regio in Parma Urna.

Otar Jorjikia - tenor

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2003 - 2007 Otar Jorjikia studied in Austria, in Vienne Performing Arts College. In 2011 he took part in the young singers’ festival An International Opera Workshop in Sigriswil (Switzerland) and in 2012 he attended master classes conducted by Renato Bruson and Edda Moser. O. Jorjikia graduated from the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire in 2013.
Mr. Jorjikia regularly appears at the Georgian Academic Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Theatre. His European debut took place back in 2004 at the Raimund Theater (Vienna). Since then the singer has appeared at the Teatro all’Antica (Sabbioneta), the Teatro Regio (Parma), the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi (Busseto), the Teatro Comunale (Bologna), and in Switzerland - the Paul Klee Centre.
His repertoire includes the roles of the Duke (Rigoletto), Don Alvaro (La forza del destino), Ernani (Ernani), Alfredo (La traviata), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Cavaradossi (Tosca) and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly). He is prize winner at the International Lado Antoneli Competition.

George Gagnidze –baritone (

He was born in Tbilisi and graduated from the State Conservatory. In the course of his career, George Gagnidze, who now masters the genre of dramatic heroic baritone, has worked with many renowned conductors and directors, including James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Fabio Luisi, James Conlon, Plácido Domingo, Mikko Franck, Jesús López-Cobos, Nicola Luisotti, Daniel Oren, Gianandrea Noseda, Kirill Petrenko, Yuri Temirkanov; Luc Bondy, Liliana Cavani, Robert Carsen, Peter Stein, Giancarlo Del Monaco, Henning Brockhaus, and Robert Sturua.
Mr. Gagnidze debuted as Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera in 1996 at the Paliashvili State Opera. He entered the “Concorso Voci Verdiane” in 2005 as an award-winner of the “Leyla Gencer Voice Competition” and the “Elena Obraztsova Competition”. The jury, (José Carreras and Katia Ricciarelli) awarded him first prize. In 2009 he made his sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as Rigoletto and has since then ranked among the leading singers of his genre.
He is regularly invited by the most prestigious international opera companies, performances of the 2017/18 season include Tonio in Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana and Tonio in Pagliacci at the Hamburg State Opera, Amonasro in Aida at the Teatro Real Madrid and at the Teatro alla Scala, his role debut as Barnaba in La Gioconda at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Among his engagements of the 2016/17 season are his role debut as Carlo Gérard in Andrea Chénier and Amonasro in Aida at the San Francisco Opera, Aida at the Metropolitan Opera, Andrea Chénier and Tosca at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Nabucco in a new production at the Arena of Verona as well as Šakovlity in Hovanščina for his debut at the BBC Proms.
Other past highlights include the title roles in Rigoletto and Macbeth; Cavalleria Rusticana (Alfio) and Hovanščina at the Metropolitan Opera, Nabucco (title role) and Tosca at the Vienna State Opera, Rigoletto, La traviata (Germont) and Aida at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Tosca at Opéra National of Paris, Simon Boccanegra (title role) at the Teatro Real di Madrid, Rigoletto at the Festival of Aix-en-Provence, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at Gran Teatro del Liceu of Barcelona, La Traviata at the Arena of Verona, and Otello (Iago) at The Greek National Opera of Athens.

Anita Rachvelishvili, opera singer,  mezzo soprano  (1984 - )

Born in Tbilisi (Georgia, country), on June 28, 1984, Georgian mezzo-soprano Ms. Anita Rachvelishvili studied piano at the Mukhran Machavariani School and then entered Tbilisi State Conservatory Manana Egadze’s class. She received a scholarship from the President of Georgia, and in 2007 won the Paata Burchuladze Prize. While at the conservatory, she debuted as Maddalena in Rigoletto and as Olga in Eugen Onegin in at the Tbilisi State Opera House and joined the opera team in 2006. In 2007 she was invited to join the Accademia at the Teatro alla Scala and was heard by D. Barenboim, who invited her to star in Carmen in 2009/2010 La Scala Season.

On December 7th, 2009,  she sang the Carmen opposite Jonas Kaufmann as Don José at the opening night of the La Scala season in a production conducted by D. Barenboim and staged by Emma Date. Since then she has debuted as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Bayerische Staatsoper München, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, San Francisco Opera, Staatsoper Berlin, Seattle Opera, Teatro Regio in Turin, at the Arena di Verona, with the Canadian Opera Company. 

In Netherlands, at the Concertgebouw, Ms. Rachvelishvili made her debut when she sang her first Dalila in a concert performance of Samson et Dalila. She also sang Dulcinée in Massenet’s Don Quichotte at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari. At the end of 2011 A. Rachvelishvili debuted at Carnegie Hall alongside with Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kaufmann as the Principessa di Bouillon in Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur. Other roles also include Isabella in Rossinis L’Italiana in Algeri at the Scala, and the title role in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at the Festival de Peralada I. Anita also sang Lyubasha in the new production of Rimsky Korsakov’s The Tsar’s Bride staged by Dmitry Cherniakov and conducted by Daniel Barenboim at Staatsoper Berlin.

Performances in the 2013/2014 season include Konschakowna in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Borodin’s Prince Igor which was the first time the company had performed this work since 1917. Anita also made her debut at the Teatro all’Opera di Roma as Carmen and performed the same role at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. Earlier in the season, she sang as Carmen at the Staatsoper Berlin and at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and at the Arena di Verona as Carmen and as Amneris in Aida.

 The 2014/2015 season began with the title role of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera and at the Teatro alla Scala as Carmen and for a new production of Aida led by Lorin Maazel. She sang as Amneris in Aida at the Rome Opera and gave a recital at the Mariinsky Theatre. Anita also performed the extraordinary Verdi Requiem at the Salzburg Easter Festival.

 2016 season included her return to Teatro alla Scala in performances of Verdi Requiem, the Dutch National Opera in the role of Marfa in Mussorgsky’s Khovanshchina, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in the title role of Carmen, and her debut as Amneris in Aida at the Paris Opera.

 His roles also include Paris Opera debut as Amneris in “Aida”, and Azucena in “Il Trovatore” at Covent Garden, “Samson et Dalila” in Berlin and Sao Paulo. 

 Lina Tetriani - opera singer, soprano (1977 -)

Lina Tetriani made her professional debut as Antonia Les Contes d’Hoffmann at Staatstheater Stuttgart, where Opernwelt hailed her as “one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.” Later, while a member of the ensemble at Oper der Stadt, Köln, Lina appeared as Micaela Carmen, Antonia, Mimi La Boheme, Donna Elvira Don Giovanni, Arminda La finta giardiniera, and sang a critically acclaimed Nedda in Christopher Alden’s production of I Pagliacci. She spent the 2003/04 season in Stein Winge’s new production of La Boheme for Norwegian Opera, alternating in performances of Mimi and Musetta.

Recent successes include her interpretation of the role of Lora in Wagner’s rarely heard first opera, Die Feen, under the baton of Marc Minkowski at Theatre du Chatelet, Paris. She returned to the Chatelet for Cronenberg and Shore’s world premiere of The Fly, and later, in the title role of Norma in a long-anticipated new production conducted by Jean-Christophe Spinosi, for which she was warmly received. Previous engagements include the role of Magda La Rondine and Violetta La Traviata at Sarasota Opera, and Kupava The Snow Maiden for Wexford Festival Opera.
Lina currently lives in Brooklyn (USA).

www.linatetriani.com

 Ketevan Kemoklidze - opera singer (

Ketevan Kemoklidze (mezzo-soprano) studied at Tbilisi Conservatory and at Teatro alla Scala Academy. She is a winner of Placido Domingo's Operalia and other prestigious competitions. Ketevan has been invited to the world's leading stages: Teatro alla Scala, Covent Graden and Arena di Verona, as well as in Barcelona, Washington, Madrid, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Venice, Palermo, Graz, Toulouse, Turin, Parma, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Montpellier, Santiago, Leipzig, Basel, Thessaloniki, Bilbao and Ancona, and the Wexford and Macerata Festivals. She recently made her outstanding film debut in Carlos Saura’s "Don Giovanni".

www.KetevanKemoklidze.com  

Nino Machaidze  - opera singer, coloratura soprano (1983 -)

Nino Machaidze began piano and vocal lessons at a school affiliated with her hometown’s State Conservatory when she was seven. Once she “graduated” to the Conservatory itself, her talent developed so significantly that, at just 17, she was assigned Norina in Don Pasquale at Tbilisi’s Paliashvili Theatre. Two other important roles followed, Zerlina and Rosina.

Her successes in those three roles led to a crucial audition – for the world-renowned academy for young artists at La Scala. Chosen from among hundreds of competitors, Machaidze gratefully took every advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to refine her artistry. Living in Milan gave her complete ease in the Italian language, and her studies honed the bel canto style that is second nature in her performances today. After winning the 2006 Leyla Gencer Vocal Competition, she received an enormous challenge from La Scala – the title role of La fille du régiment. Her reprise of that portrayal at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma led to much “buzz” about a marvelous new soprano. Salzburg was then urgently needed to replace the pregnant Netrebko. A festival official was impressed by Machaidze’s Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi at La Scala under Riccardo Chailly, she was engaged as Juliette, and suddenly the pressure of a huge, potentially life-changing debut loomed large.
www.ninomachaidze.com/biography/

Tamar Iveri - opera singer,  lyrical soprano (1971- )

She was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Her father was singer Avtandil Javakishvili who was also her first teacher. Tamar made her debut in 2011 at the La Scala in Milan, as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni under Daniel Barenboim. She has since performed with the Vienna State Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra Bastille, at the Salzburg Festival. She has sung Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito, Elettra in Idomeneo, Elisabetta in Don Carlos, Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, Desdemona in Otello, Mimì in La bohème, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin and the title roles in Adriana Lecouvreur and Suor Angelica.

Nino Surguladze - opera singer, mezzo soprano  (1977 -)

N. Surguladze made her debut at the Gran Theatre de Liceu in Barcelona at the age of 22 as Sonjetka Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.  Her other roles at the Liceu have included Federica Luisa Miller opposite Samuel Ramey and Maddalena Rigoletto, a role she has also sung at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and at the Teatro Real in Madrid (with Leo Nucci in the title role).  Elsewhere in Spain, Nino had particular success as Dorabella (opposite Barbara Frittoli) at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia.  In the UK, Olga and Dorabella Cosi fan Tutte at the Royal Opera House and Clara In Prokofiev’s Betrothal in a Monastery at the Glydnebourne Festival, for which she received wide critical acclaim. In Germany, she has also sung Sesto La Clemenza di Tito, Niklausse, Carmen, and Idamante in Hamburg and Polinesso and Ariodante in Ariodante in Frankfurt.  Nino made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in 2009 as Sinaid in Moise et Pharaon (cond. Muti), a role she then sang in Rome. In Tokyo, Ms. Surguladze has sung Suzuki Madama Butterfly, Dorabella, and Carmen and, in the USA, Carmen in San Diego and Olga to great acclaim in Chicago.

www.ninosurguladze.com

Teona Dvali - opera singer, soprano (1984 -)

2002-2006 — has successfully finished the conservatoire under Vano Saradgishvili, the faculty of Music Theory (Bachelor’s Degree).
2003-2007 — has finished the faculty of Academic Singing in the same conservatoire (Bachelor’s Degree).
2007-2009 — has finished the faculty of Accademic Singing (Master’s Degree) in the same conservatoire.
2004 — has performed the part of the First Lady in W.A. Mozart’s opera “Tha Magic Flute” in the conservatoire of Tbilisi.
2005 — has performed the role of Pamina in the same opera of Mozart.
2007 — she has sung the part of Soprano in the vocal cycle of I. Brahms “Liebeslieder”.
2007 — has performed the three Madrigals for Soprano and five instruments of Alfred Shnitke on the modern Music Festival “Contra-point #1” in Tbilisi, Georgia.
2007 — sang the part of Violetta Valery in G. Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” in the Big Hall of the conservatoire of Tbilisi.
2008-2011 — has been a student of the World’s famous Soprano Renata Scotto on the courses of perfection “Opera Studio” in the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome, Italy.
2009 — performed the part of Violetta Valery in G. Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” at the National Opera House of Georgia.
2009 — has performed the part of Norina in the opera of G. Donizetti “Don Pasquale” at the Opera Theatre of Tbilisi, Georgia.
2010 — won the special prize for best performance of aria Belcanto on the First International singing competition of Arturo Toscanini, Manfredonia, Italy.
2010 — sang the part of Gilda in G. Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” in the Theatre Traiano, Civitavecchia, Italy.
2010 — won the First prize in the International competition for singers and accompanists “Rolando Nicolosi”, Rome, Italy.
2010 — sang a concert on the Circle of Opera with Young Tenor Giordano Luca’ in Parma, Italy.
2011 — in February sang the role of Aspasia in the opera of W.A. Mozart “Mitridate, Re di Ponto” (“Mitridate, King of Ponto”) in the Theatre of Rustaveli, conductor — Gianluca Marciano, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2011 — in March sang the part of Aspasia in the opera of Mozart “Mitridate, Re di Ponto” at Al Bustan Festival in Beirut, Lebanon.
2011 — has made her debut as Gilda in the opera of G. Verdi “Rigoletto” at the Mariinsky Theatre, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
2011 — performed the part of Adina (has changed Anna Netrebko) in the opera of G. Donizetti “Elisir d’amore” the production of Laurent Pelly at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia.
2012 — performed the role of Lucia In the opera of G. Donizetti “Lucia Di Lammermoor” in the opera theatre of Batumi, Georgia.
2012 — participated in the concert with the orchestra of the Ravenna festival.
2013 — singing the role of the Spirit in Henry Percell’s opera “Dido and Eaneas” in the Theatre Ristori, Verona (conductor: Stefano Montanari).
2013 — has sung the role of Gilda in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” in Gdansk, Poland (Foundation of Arena di Verona), conductor: Massimiliano Caldi.
2013 — sung the role of Lucia in Gaetano Donizetti’s opera “Lucia Di Lammermoor” in the big hall of the Conservatoire of Tbilisi, Georgia.
2013 — sung three romances by Giuseppe Verdi with ballet in the Theatre Filarmonico, choreographer: Renato Zanella, Verona.
2013 — has sung two concerts of the Tribute to Giuseppe Verdi in Ravenna (Ravenna Festival) and Mirandola, conductor: Riccardo Muti.
2013 — sung concerts of “Cercando Verdi” with ballet at the Theatre Romano, choreographer: Renato Zanella, conductor: Julian Kovatchev, Verona, Italy.

www.facebook.com/Teona.Dvali.Soprano

Sofia Koberidze - opera singer, mezzo-soprano

Ms. Sofia Koberidze, mezzo-soprano, was born in Tbilisi (Georgia). He began studying piano as a child, graduating at the musical school in Tbilisi very young with the highest marks. Later he brilliantly graduated from singing "School of Talants", a preparatory school for entrance to the conservatory, and another diploma in hand from Dimitri Arakishvili Institute of Tbilisi, always with the highest marks. Later he began to study singing at the State Conservatory of Tbilisi where he received his undergraduate Singing first degree. 

Following the assignment of the scholarship, he got a two-year diploma in second level at the Conservatory Vincenzo Bellini in Italy. She debuted in the role of the third lady in the "Magic Flute" and in the role of Cherubino in "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart at the Opera Studio of Tbilisi. She has performed in several concerts and recitals for the State Conservatory of Tbilisi. In June 2012 was the winner of the "International Contest Simone Alaimo" for which she debuted in the role of Maddalena in "Rigoletto" by G. Verdi in March of 2013. In April 2013 she was a finalist of the contest "Voices Lyrical 2013-O.M.E.G.A." In Florence. In July 2013 he made his debut as Rosina in the "Barber of Seville" alongside Simone Alaimo for "Opera Festival Mediterranea", which received great critical acclaim. In August 2013 he won first prize in the "Bel Canto Vocal Competition" in Austria, with the presence in commission of Christa Ludwig and Kirchlager Angelica, with whom he also won a masterclass. 

In September 2013 he was in the "Bellini - Verdi -" the Ancient Theatre of Taormina Wagner Festival alongside Pero Giuliacci and Chiara Taigi. In October 2013 was a finalist in the International Singing Competition "Neue Stimmen" in Germany and made his debut with the role of Lola in "Cavalleria Rusticana" at the Rudolfinum in Prague, invited by ' "Umbria Music Festival." In March 2014 he made his debut at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa with the role of Marcellina in "Le Nozze di Figaro" and the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca with the role of Suzuki in "Madama Butterfly".He sang in "Westside Story" at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa directed by Wayne Marshall. In June 2014 he made his debut in the role of Rosina always at the Carlo Felice in Genoa, with director Filippo Crivelli.  

Since September 2014 is part of dell'LTL Opera Studio, with here play the role of Rosina in the following theaters: Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Teatro Goldoni of Livorno and the Teatro Coccia in Novara. In November 2014 will be Laura in "Luisa Miller" by G. Verdi, Director Battistoni, at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa alongside Leo Nucci, who also will direct. Mozart always debuted in 2014 in "Requiem" in Zliín (Czech Republic) with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague. In 2015 he sang the role of Hänsel in the Hänsel und Gretel Opera production at the Teatro Regio in Turin; and Dorotea in the production StifFelio Opera by G. Verdi at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. 

 Lisa Batiashvili - violinist (1979 - )

Lisa Batiashvili is one of the world’s most sought-after violinists. She frequently works with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Staatskapelle Dresden, Staatskapelle Berlin, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the major London orchestras. In the US, she performs every season with the New York Philharmonic and regularly returns to the other top orchestras.

Lisa gained international recognition at age 16 as the youngest-ever competitor in the Sibelius Competition, where she took second prize. She was named winner of the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival's 2003 Leonard Bernstein Award and was awarded the Beethoven Ring Prize from the Beethoven Festival Bonn.

www.lisabatiashvili.com/home.html

THE GROUP NIGHT CITY

 The group works in the genre of modern jazz. They had tours in Japan, England, France, Germany, and Denmark. Many famous artists performed with the group, among them, are Michel Petruchiani, John Abercrombie, Philip Catherine, and Antoine Herve.

JAZZ SEXTET OF GEORGIA

Jazz-Sextet of Georgia was founded on the initiative of three members of the group in 1996. At first, the group was led by the director of the State Georgian Orchestra - Ilia Kalandadze.

At this time the repertoire of the ensemble contained only classical jazz compositions. Later the original interpretations of the compositions of Georgian composers of different periods and styles appeared in the sextet program. The main direction of the creative work of the group developed when the sextet was collaborating with the young Georgian professional composer and pianist Nika Memanishvili, whose name was entered in the Gold Book of UNESCO. Such branches of Georgian Culture as folklore and ancient professional music as well as the church hymns represent the sphere of interests of the group. 

The creative principle of the group is the synthesis of Georgian folk and jazz music. Sextet is the sole Georgian jazz-folk ensemble. The ensemble first came on the stage at the student festival in 1997, when it won the "Modern Song" nomination. In April 1999 the ensemble participated in the international festival "Suklegos" in Kaunas (Lithuania), where the group had very successful concerts. In June of 1999, the Jazz-Sextet of Georgia became the prizewinner of "Tampere Choir Festival" in Finland.

Nowadays the group works intensively in the direction of jazz-folk and Georgian classical music.

JAZZ CHORAL

The founder and leader of the group Lali Beradze is a former soloist of the "Jazz Choral" which has toured all over Europe, winning wide recognition among their audiences as well as musicians and jazz connoisseurs.

The nucleus of the "Jazz Septet" is also composed of the former "Jazz Choral" soloists and this determined the takeover of the best traditions of the once well-known ensemble. Their wide-range repertoire includes world jazz, classical, and jazz compositions based on Georgian vocal polyphony and intonation. This is the only ensemble in the country, which due to the splendid talent of each performer has created an exquisite sound of a big band.

DAVID MAZANASHVlLI (Jazz piano)

Born in 1972 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Has played piano from the age of 6. He performed with his trio in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the USA. Now he performs solo programs with his compositions.

OTAR MAGRADZE GROUP

Jazz Trio "Tbilisi" was established in February 1999, and is headed by Otar Magradze. In 1988-1989 jazz quartet of Otar Magradze participated in the Saarbrucken Jazz Festival. The collaboration of Otar Magradze with Dato Odzelashvili has started in 1998 while recording a CD. They recorded the compositions "Tatris Meidan" and "Gurian Sketches". In 1999 the current staff of the jazz trio participated in the Music Festival dedicated to the lOOOth Anniversary of Saarbrucken, where they were rewarded a special memorable medal for successful performance. The repertoire of the trio generally contains the compositions on Georgian themes, which have a high importance meaning for the ensemble.

BACHA MDZINARASHVILI JAZZ QUINTET

Beka Gochitashvili - jazz pianist (1996 -)

Beka Gochiashvili was just two and a half years old, barely reaching his upright piano curvature, when he suddenly surprised his father by playing some of Scott Joplin’s Ragtime tunes he heard on the radio. Then at age 4, he watched Standards II by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette - the video recording that triggered his devotion and passion for this sophisticated trio and their performance style.

By age five, Beka was playing several piano compositions already. In 2002 Valeri, his father, a musician himself, took him to Zurab Ramishvili, the most prominent jazz piano professor in Georgia. The child’s ability to play a few complicated jazz compositions impressed him. Notwithstanding, he advised them to enroll Beka in classical music classes at a school headed by Tengiz Chitaishvili.

By age nine, Beka began jazz studies under the direction of Zurab Ramishvili. A year later, he was already playing at various jazz clubs in Tbilisi. In 2007, Beka participated in Saulkrasti Jazz Festival in Latvia where his performance skills were highly assessed by Lenny White and Victor Bailey. In the same year, he played at the 10th International Festival “Georgians Play Jazz” held in the Grand Hall of Tbilisi State Conservatory. 

In April 2008, the US Embassy in Tbilisi hosted two State Department-sponsored cultural envoys – jazz pianist Dan Tepfer and Joel Harrison, Artistic Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Pianists Association, who performed with Beka. Both of them highly praised Beka’s unique talent.

“Beka is one of the best jazz pianists I’ve heard anywhere,” said Condoleezza Rice, then Secretary of State and an accomplished pianist herself, in her remarks.

THE GROUP GREEN ROOM

The GREEN ROOM was founded in 1999. Members of the group are Achiko Guledani -guitar, and vocals; Beka Japaridze -keyboards; Valeri Piltakian -trumpet; Kaha Jagashvili - saxophone; Nodar Ekvtimishvili - bass; David Aduashvili -drums; Maka Gamkrelidze and Tamuna Magalashvili - back vocals. At present the group is working on its first album in the studio "Georgian Records".

"We studied together at the jazz college. We've been together since 1996 and our four-year partnership bears fruits, which gives us strength to go on. We love what we are doing and we hope this is just the beginning. We would like to express gratitude towards everybody who helps us on the stage and beyond it." "Green Room "

The Group SHIN

The Georgian word "shin" means "homeward". "Tseruli" is the name of the musical accompaniment remarkable duo "The Shin" has chosen for this spiritual kind of journey home. Tseruli stands for a kind of rhythmic, polyphonic improvisation, which takes its origin in early Georgian, culture. Tseruli takes this tradition into our modern times, adds music from the East, adds music from the West, and adds Jazz - the African factor. What we finally hear is the world's music at its very best. The masterminds behind "The Shin" are Zurab Gagnidze and Zaza Miminoshvili, who have gained a brilliant reputation back home in the Caucasus for many years. But "The Shin" are on their way to international success: Switch on your TV set, walk over to the Frankfurt music fair - and be prepared to meet "The Shin".

The Group SOFT EJECT

 There are several ways of gaining popularity in contemporary rock. The easiest one is conquering hearts and minds by attracting public attention by all sorts of scandals, and the most difficult – by creative work. Soft Eject chose the latter and attained its objectives.

 At one time Soft Eject was far better known in Germany than in Georgia. They gave their first concert at Tbilisi Medical Institute in 1989 (4 years after the group members met). A year later they performed at Batumi Rock Festival and in 1993 participated in the Greens rock-action. This was followed by several tours in Germany.

Several contemporary rock artists draw inspiration from folklore today. Soft Eject has proved its originality once more by utilizing Irish, European, and Oriental melodies. The new works represent short pieces and the interesting thing is that a conventional rock quartet is not enough to perform them. This is why there are plenty of musicians, far from the rock music scene, who have been invited by the group - Irakli Chelishvili (guitar, vocal), Gia Karchkhadze (guitar), Vaho Babunashvili (bass) and Nodar Manchkhashvili (percussion) - to assist in the creative process.

 Please write to me to comment if you have to say anything. support[at]georgian-music.com

Vajha Kalandadze - Guitar (1961 -)

Born in 1961 in Tbi1isi, Georgia.

His repertoire includes the works of Classical, Spanish, Latin American, Georgian, and Russian composers, also has a program with orchestra. 

V. Kalandadze has interesting interpretations of Georgian folk music; he is the author of many interesting works. He is a soloist of the Georgian State Philharmonic. (high category).

Since 1989 he has been a head of the guitar class at Tbilisi State Conservatoire. His students are performing in many countries of Europe.

Temur Kvitelashvili - guitar

In 1994 at the International Guitar Competition held in Hollywood, CA.

Allan Holdsworth named him the "Best Guitarist of the Year" in "Fusion" nomination. Following the competition in Hollywood, Temur went on to even greater heights and performed with the Virtuoso American guitarist, Michael Angelo (1995). Later in 1996 he was named "Best Instrumentalist of Georgia". In 1998 Temur received the biggest appreciation from the legend of our days Mstislav Rostropovich who called him "...great musician". As a reward for his invaluable contribution to the development of the art of guitar and commitment to his music, the Georgian President, Edward Shevardnadze, awarded Temur Kvitelashvili with "The Order of Honor" in 1998. Temur's name is also included in the second edition of the Georgian encyclopedia “Who Is Who”.

Zura Dzagnidze - guitar

Born in Tbilisi in 1977. Composer, guitar player. Began to play at the age of 11. His first tutor was Vahtang Mahniashvili. In 1992 he was invited to the

Renaissance and baroque ensemble IBERIA CONSORT. In 1993 he became a member of the alternative band AFTERNOON VERSION. In 1994 he took part in the project Acoustic Guitar Experiment. Since that time he has been a participant in various festivals in Georgia: "Amma", "Hands" and "Margarita".

In the pop music festival "Lira 96" as a member of the band AFTERNOON VERSION he was awarded three nominations: "Best Group", "Best Arrangement" and "Best

Live Performance” and won the Grand Prix.

In 1996 he entered the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Vazha Kalandadze's class. During this period he performed solo concerts and became a participant of the First International Guitar Festival in Tbilisi in 1998.

 In 2000 Zura Dzagnidze graduated from the conservatoire; after that, he was invited to the US, at the Berkley Music College. 

Kako Vashalomidze - Guitar

Kako Vashalomidze - guitarist, composer, arranger. Kako works in Rock style. His beloved styles are classical music, jazz, and blues. K. Vashalomidze effectively uses intonations and tunes of Georgian folk music. Being a professional engineer he successfully gets the necessary original sounds. Since 1996 he has played with various well-known bands and musicians, he is a composer in "Georgian Film Co.", and also has a pedagogical practice. At present K. Vashalomidze 'is the soloist of Georgian TV Corporation Orchestra.

Prizes and awards: "The Best Group ", "The Best Composition ", and "The Best Rock Guitar Player".

CD's: "Sixth Feeling", "You Again", "Night and Day", and "From Retro to Rock".