One of the most important cultural institutions in Cyprus, the Pafos Aphrodite Festival, returns after a four-year break, hosting a grand opera production in the square of the Medieval Castle of Paphos. This ‘restart’ features one of the most significant works in the operatic repertoire, Giuseppe Verdi’s , presented by the Tbilisi State Opera, which was founded in 1851. This historic cultural organisation, named after the great Georgian composer Zakaria Paliashvili, has been a triumphant platform for Georgian opera stars on the world stage.
Two such stars are the renowned sopranos Sophia Mchedlishvili and Marika Makhitidze, who will perform the highly demanding and coveted role of the fallen woman, Violetta Valery, on alternate nights. Both have extensive careers and accolades in the operatic repertoire and have excelled in both national and international competitions. On this occasion, we had the pleasure of speaking with them so that the Cypriot audience could get to know them better ahead of their performances in Paphos this September.
The inspiration to become an opera singer came from my mother, who loved opera and we often went to Tbilisi Opera House to listen to different magical performances. To be a Soprano is a more natural thing, what kind of voice you are born with. : I was born in a family surrounded by opera, classical, jazz and folk music.
Although my father was a doctor, he was very talented in music and wrote two operas, among other musical works. My mo.