2022 Tour in Turin
In December 2022, the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre’s ballet company toured in the historical theatre of Turin - TEATRO REGIO TORINO (Italy). The program included the contemporary ballet scenic cantata CARMINA BURANA (choreography by Ilia Jivoy) and Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER.
The international project of Carmina Burana featured the Turin Opera Orchestra and Chorus, along with the ballet company of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre.
The orchestra of the Turin Theatre was led by Zaza Azmaiparashvili, the Chief Conductor of the Tbilisi Opera House. After Carmina Burana, the State Ballet of Georgia presented twelve sold-out performances of Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER on the stage of Teatro Regio di Torino.
On stage, Jivoy skilfully integrates singers, dancers, and both adult and children's choirs. He creates tender arm movements and processions of ballerinas in red dresses, forming a beautiful and touching anticipation of spring.
Each small piece of Ilya Jivoy’s choreographic mosaic, each simple, elegant, delightful movement of dancers’, each adventurous choreographic variation together form the outstanding fresco of CARMINA BURANA. As a spectator, taking a step back leads to profound awe.
Michel Odin. Carmina Burana. Danser. European. Dance News. N401. Janvier 2023
2023 USA Tour
The tour of the State Ballet of Georgia in the United States of America took place from April 12 to May 2, 2023.
Tour performances were held in major cultural centers across the United States of America - New York (Lehman Centre for the Performing Arts), Washington (George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, Fairfax, Virginia), New Orleans (Mahalia Jackson Theater), Minneapolis (Northrop at the University of Minnesota) and Detroit (Detroit Opera).
The ballet company presented George Balanchine's one-act ballets, SERENADE, MOZARTIANA and CONCERTO BAROCCO. Yuri Possokhov's one-act ballet SAGALOBELI was also presented in the program.
The company — based in Tbilisi, where Ananiashvili was born — presents two masterworks by George Balanchine, SERENADE and CONCERTO BAROCCO, along with a homage to Georgia: SAGALOBELI by the Ukrainian-born Yuri Possokhov. It’s a rare chance to see how Ananiashvili has transformed the company, which she took over in 2004. As for the dancers? “I raised them!” she said. “This is my generation. They are all my generation because they were in the school and then they’re coming to the theater and now they’re dancing ballerinas.
Gia Kourlas is the dance critic of The New York Times. April 14, 2023
The piece is a strong argument in favor of combining neoclassical ballet and traditional styles of dance. Still fresh after fifteen years, SAGALOBELI looks set to become the sbg’s signature piece, their very own Serenade.
Jane Coombs. Sakartvelo Serenade. www. newcriterion.com. April 26, 2023
In this brief glimpse of the current company, it is clear that Nina's training and leadership has continued to form a well-schooled, disciplined group which dances with strength and heart. The cities that saw the company on this Spring tour of the U.S. were blessed to witness the glow and technical finish of the current dancers of State Ballet of Georgia.
Marylis Sevilia-Gonzaga. Georgia Warms Up New York.. Specially for Arabesque. April 18, 2023
2024 Tour in Italy and Germany
In January and February 2024, the State Ballet of Georgia embarked on a three-week tour in Italy andGermany, presenting Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
The tour kicked off at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, with the theatre’s orchestra conducted by Papuna Gvaberidze. According to media reports, tickets were completely sold out several weeks in advance.
The performances were held at other prestigious theatres too, such as Teatro Comunale di Modena, tTeatri di Piacenza, Teatro Regio Parma, and Teatro Comunale Città di Vicenza in Italy. In Germany, the State Ballet of Georgia performed at the Forum am Schlosspark Theatre in Ludwigsburg.
The performance in Catania was primarily an evening showcase of Tchaikovsky's masterful ballet music, which played to a full house with completely sold-out tickets. The score, initially described as "difficult and unusual" at the ballet's premiere yet undeniably glorious, was performed in its entirety by the local orchestra, with only a few notes omitted. Particularly praiseworthy was the magnificent performance of four trumpets and a harp, under the skilled leadership of Maestro Papuna Gvaberidze, specially for these performances.
Vyacheslav Okunev's ultra-classical scenography, Steen Bjarke's lighting, and sumptuous staging, all highlighted by gorgeous costumes, captivated the Catania audience, who warmly applauded the State Ballet of Georgia, including the corps de ballet dancers. Particularly, as is often the case, the performers of the Little Swans, known for their famous excerpt from the ballet, performed in perfect sync and holding hands. Even the applause in classical ballet is beautiful, and this evening it was warm and heartfelt. The soloists and the conductor, along with the entire company, received well-deserved applause. Tonight, everything unfolded as if taken directly from the score and libretto; it was like reliving a childhood memory. Even now, with years of rich experience in the arts, sitting in the front row and clapping, I once again experienced the joy of being transported into a fairy tale even if this fairy tale is unfolding on stage.
Natalia Di Bartolo. Swan Lake in Catania. www.operaeopera.com. January 26. 2024
It truly was an outstanding production, that was performed internationally in different cities, including Dubai, achieving sold-out performances at every venue. The State Ballet of Georgia offered an engaging and intensely moving spectacle, involving talented soloist, an excellent ensemble of dancers, lavish sets, and dazzling costumes. A remarkably string side is the young age of leading performers, as emphasized by the artistic director herself, who was a dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow for a long time, in our interview.
These young talents displayed a strong passion for dance and for the composer, who created an impressive synergy between movement and score. The composer's work was conducted at the Bellini Theatre by Papuna Gvaberidze with meticulous observance of the score, enabling him to convey the ballet's lyrical spirit effectively.
Silvana La Porta.Teatro Bellini: The Magic of Swan Lake Revisited. www.clessidra2021.it. January 30. 2024
The State Ballet of Georgia proved to be at the highest level, and all the dancers performed impeccably to the music, including the 32 fouettés of the Black Swan in the third act. And anyone who loves dance will know exactly what I'm talking about.
Giulia Matteazzi. Swan Lake Triumphs. www.vipiu.it. February 14. 2024
Under the artistic direction of Nina Ananiashvili, the State Ballet of Georgia presented an outstanding performance. The famous Dance of the Four Swans drew thunderous applause and great cheers from the audience. The pointe work and fouettés wielded a magical effect. Following the onset of the war in Ukraine, many distinguished soloists who could not stay in St. Petersburg or Moscow found refuge with the State Ballet of Georgia.
Alexander Walther.Magical Effect. Forum am Schlosspark in Ludwigsburg. The State Ballet of Georgia presents Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky . www.onlinemerker.com. February 11. 2024
