Popular Classic Keto & Kote to Premiere at Tbilisi Opera Theater
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater is set to premier its 167th season. Opera lovers will be able to enjoy one of the most famous operas, Keto and Kote, by renowned Georgian Composer, Victor Dolidze. Keto and Kote will premier October 27, 28, 31 and November 3, 4, 6, 7, giving everyone a chance to attend the performance.
The production, which has already stood the test of time, is truly amazing and promises an unforgettable experience to spectators. The audience will enjoy every minute of the show from the very beginning until the end. The famous classic has been adapted for theater, opera and even onto screen, enabling it to remain poignant to this very day.
The team behind the popular opera includes: Conductor: Revaz Takidze; Director: Ioane (Vano) Khutsishvili; Set, Costume and Lighting Designer: Georgi Alexi-Meskhishvili; Chief Choreographer: Iliko Sukhishvili. The cast of the opera consists of Tbilisi Opera soloists, the orchestra of the Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theater, intern actors, as well as dancers of the Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili
Keto and Kote is a comic opera comprising of three acts. Georgian composer Victor Dolidze went down in the history of Georgian music as the composer of the first comical opera. He composed the opera at the age of 27, which ultimately earned him fame and success. First staged in Tbilisi on December 11, 1919, it became an instant success and has since formed part of the repertoire of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater.
Dolidze, who wrote the libretto himself, adopted the plot from Khanuma, a popular comedy by 19th century Georgian Playwright Avksenty Tsagareli. Libretto was edited by famous Georgian poet Ioseb Grishashvili. The opera represents a synthesis of Tbilisi city folklore and traditions of Italian opera. An immediate success at its premier, Dolidze's opera remains a popular classic in Georgia and was made into a film in 1948, with additional music composed by Archil Kereselidze. The film features splendid music, choreography and humor. In terms of music, casting, acting and scenery, Keto da Kote is a masterpiece. The musical feature film Keto and Kote was directed by Vakhtang Tabliashvili and Shalva Gedevanishvili.
Victor Dolidze (1890–1933) was born to a peasant family in Western Georgia, and first became known to society when, as a young man, he won first prize at a Mandolin contest. Although he did write several other pieces, Dolidze will be remembered for his classic comic opera Keto da Kote.
The story revolves around young lovers Keto, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and Kote, nephew of the impoverished Prince Levan Palavandishvili. The elderly Prince Levan has at long last decided to marry, with experienced matchmaker Barbale arranging for him to marry the daughter of a wealthy merchant named Keto. Coincidentally, Kote happens to be Prince Levan’s nephew, and even though as noble, is a lot poorer than even his bankrupt uncle. Ultimately, the story ends well and true love triumphs.
Victor Dolidze ‘s opera has a long history. It was staged at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater during different periods. It’s first successful premier abroad was in Moscow and Leningrad in 1937. During soviet times, it was staged at 20 different opera houses, including in Poland, Czech, Hungary, Bulgaria. In the 1990s, the opera was staged by Giga Lortkifanidze at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre.
By Lika Chigladze