Fans of opera and ballet art living in the city of Tbilisi have the opportunity to enjoy magnificent productions of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater. Paliashvili. And importantly, the theater building itself is very beautiful, pleasing to the eye with its unusual architecture. I want to come back here again and again.
Foundation History
The Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater, the largest in Georgia, was founded in 1851. The building is made in the pseudo-Moorish style, designed by the famous Italian architect Antonio Scudieri. An institution is painted under the leadership of the Russian prince and artist Grigory Gagarin. Construction completed in 1847. The magnificent structure looks like a palace. The striped facade of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater. Paliashvili (photo below), its eastern openings and cornices with Arabic ornaments literally amaze the imagination.
Since the beginning of the theater’s repertoire, there have been mainly operas by foreign authors - Rossini, Verdi, Donizetti and others. Since 1880, the Russian opera company on its stage staged works by Russian composers. Since 1919, the formation of the national opera began. In 1852, a small troupe from Petersburg arrived in Tbilisi, which began to give ballet performances, thereby laying the foundation for the ballet traditions of Georgia. A children's choir was created at the theater, which takes part in the main productions.
Having survived several fires during its existence, after restoration work, which lasted six years, in January 2016, he again opened the doors for his viewers. The Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater is located. Paliashvili at 25 Sh. Rustaveli Avenue.
Repertoire
The creative team pleases its fans with a variety of performances. These are productions of past years, and unchanging classics, and an updated program. The opening of each new theater season begins with the opera Abesalom and Eteri. Among the performances most beloved by the audience, one can mention Mtsyri, Daishi, The Legend of Rustaveli, Heart of the Mountains, and Othello. Now in the repertoire of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater. Paliashvili presented the following operas:
- "Abesalom and Eteri" Paliashvili;
- "Keto and Kote" Dolidze;
- “La Traviata” Verdi;
- Verida's “Aida”;
- The "Pagliacci" of Launcavallo;
- "Carmen" Bizet;
- Puccini's "Longing";
- "Turandot" Puccini.
Also, the viewer can see your favorite ballets:
- "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky;
- The Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky;
- The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky;
- Giselle by Adana;
- Don Quixote of Minkus;
- “Romeo and Juliet” by Prokofiev;
- "Gorda" Toradze;
- "Tsuna and Tsrutsuna" based on the Georgian cartoon of the same name.
Opera "Abesalom and Eteri"
The opera "Abesalom and Eteri" by composer Zakhari Paliashvili is in the repertoire of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater named after Paliashvili is a special place. Its plot is based on an ancient national legend of love and separation, heroism and self-sacrifice. This work is a harmonious musical poem. The high wisdom of the opera puts the story of its heroes on a par with the stories of Tristan and Isolde, Francesca and Paolo, Romeo and Juliet. Paliashvili’s music is as deep and touching as the story of the love and suffering of Abesalom and Eteri.
Separately, I want to say about the scenery in which we recognize the legendary Georgia and in which the feeling of the mountains and valleys of this beautiful country is conveyed. The artists managed to combine plastic and vocal drawing into a single whole, they were able to show images simple, natural and at the same time monumental. The performance, created by the Georgian theater, is an example of high opera art.
Stars of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater. Zurab Sotkilava
From 1965 to 1974, after graduating from the Tbilisi Conservatory, soloist of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater. Paliashvili was Zurab Sotkilava. He sang leading roles in such vivid opera performances as Verdi's Aida, Tchaikovsky's Iolanthe, Rimsky-Korsakov's Sadko, Carmen's Bizet and many others.
In 1966-1968, the singer underwent an internship at the La Scala theater in Milan. In 1973, Zurab Sotkilava performed the part of Jose on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, and since 1974 he became his soloist.
Zurab Lavrentievich was not only a great tenor, but also a famous teacher and football player. For outstanding achievements, he was awarded many honorary titles.
Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater Paliashvili. Viewers reviews
Fans of stage art are enthusiastic about their favorite theater:
- Spectators praised its location in the very center of Tbilisi. Nearby is a monument to Zurab Sotkilave.
- A large-scale restoration was carried out in the theater, very beautiful both inside and out. The building is more like an eastern palace. The interior is like a fairy tale.
- Each of the halls is unique in its own way.
- The ballet Romeo and Juliet is magnificent. Great soloists, wonderful scenery.
- I liked the opera Tosca. The voices are amazing, the scenery is beautiful.
- In the opera Abesalom and Eteri, the performers have very beautiful voices, costumes are simply beyond praise.
- In the daytime you can buy a tour of the theater.
- Tickets can be purchased online. Tickets do not need to be printed, just show the code on the phone.
- Spectator Tips: No need to take young children to performances. For them it is tiring. They indulge and prevent other viewers from watching. In addition, the scene is poorly visible to children.