Abesalom da Eteri: a glimpse into the Georgian soul

Abesalom da Eteri

By Dominic Lowe, 22 September 2025

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“costumes are lavish and evoke the medieval origins of the source material”

Reviewed at Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, Tbilisi on 14 September 2025

Paliashvili, Abesalom da Eteri

Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi

Zaza Azmaiparashvili, Conductor

Gizo Zhordania, Director

Georgi Alexi-Meskhishvili, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Tbilisi Z Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre

Chorus of the Tbilisi Z Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre

Giorgi Sturua, Prince Abesalom

Khatuna Chokhonelidze, Eteri

Kakhaber Tetvadze, King Abio

Irina Aleksidze, Queen Natela

Marika Machitidze, Marikh

Nikoloz Lagvilava, Murman

Irina Sherazadishvili, Naana

Tamaz Saginadze, Tandarukh

Gia Makharadze, The Guest

Zviad Khukhua, Majordomo

Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili

Iliko Sukhishvili, Choreography

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut's Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

The Met’s Frida y Diego proves visually stunning, musically thrilling

David Wolfson, 22nd May

Deborah Colker and her design team create visually vibrant worlds for the Met’s new production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, by Pulitzer Prize winner Gabriela Lena Frank.

*****

Glyndebourne’s first Tosca: vocally strong but imperfect

David Karlin, 21st May

Ted Huffman brings some interesting ideas to his first Glyndebourne production. Excellent singing is let down by indifferent physical acting.

***11

Dudamel’s LA Phil Walküre proves worth the wait

Matthew Richard Martinez, 21st May

An enveloping performance of Die Walküre spans three consecutive evenings, featuring world class singing in Frank Gehry’s stunning space.

****1

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.