Georgian Operatic Bass Criticized for Performing in Russia

Georgia’s famous operatic bass, Paata Burchuladze, who was involved in Georgian politics two years ago, has been heavily criticized by various politicians in Georgia after he performed at a concert in St. Petersburg which was attended by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The concert was dedicated to the Conductor Yuri Temirkanov's 80th birthday.

Elene Khoshtaria, member of European Georgia, slammed Burchuladze, saying any person singing or dancing for Putin in Moscow is harming Georgia.

“Apart from being a singer, Burchuladze was quite a serious political figure. He has special responsibilities and such behavior is unacceptable. It is harmful to our country when Russia creates the illusion that culture is a space separate from politics,” she stated.

Member of the United National Movement, Salome Samadashvili, took to Facebook to criticize Burchuladze.

“This man [Burchuladze], should find out what he wants…His action was disgusting,” her post reads.

Burchuladze was criticized by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) officials more than by opposition politicians.

GD member Gia Volsky says Burchuladze’s action was especially inappropriate as, in addition to being a singer, he is also a politician.

“Of course there is nothing bad in culture, but it is incompatible with the political ambitions he [Burchuladze] has,” Volsky said.

The operatic bass released a statement in response to the criticism, saying he could never have imagined his performance in Russia would cause such a negative reaction in Georgia.

“I sang at that concert because of my gratitude towards Yuri Temirkanov, great maestro, who invited me to take part in the event…In 2013, he was in Georgia with his orchestra and in 2008 he visited the country on my birthday,” Burchuladze’s letter reads.

He also says Temirkanov and his orchestra performed for the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, adding the maestro is well-respected in every country.

“I served my country for many years as well as I could. I have received much love and support from Georgians and if some people do not like my lifestyle, they can create a better one. I think the energy spent criticizing me should be spent creating a better future for our country,” he added.

Burchuladze ended his 35-year opera career for a life in politics in early 2015 when he cancelled several scheduled concerts at Milan’s La Scala, London’s Covent Garden and New York’s Met Gala to launch the Georgian Development Foundation, which he described at the time as an attempt “to end the era of fear and unprofessionalism in the country.”

In early May 2016, he announced that he would run in the October 8 parliamentary elections under his own State for the People Party. In August, he formed a coalition with three other opposition parties to form the State for the People Movement.

Although in pre-election political surveys Burchuladze polled third with 12% support from potential voters, his coalition failed to pass the 5% election threshold and was left without any seats in parliament.

In December 2016, he announced that he was quitting politics and thereafter returned to his opera career.

By Thea Morrison

Image source: cec.ge