On September 17, the international festival “Night Serenades,” named after Liana Isakadze, hosted an evening of Brazilian music in the grand hall of the conservatory. The festival’s base orchestra, “Georgian Virtuosos,” along with talented Georgian musicians Lizi Ramishvili, Mariam Roinishvili, and Giorgi Oikashvili, performed lesser-known works by Brazilian composers from various eras and styles. Several original arrangements for string orchestra were created specifically for this evening, enriching the existing repertoire.
Giorgi Isakadze, artistic director of “Night Serenades,” stated: “This year’s festival is accompanied by great sadness; we said goodbye to the legendary Liana Isakadze. However, she left us a priceless legacy that will always remain with us. The next concerts of ‘Night Serenades’ will take place in Tbilisi today and will conclude on September 20 at the Tbilisi State Conservatory. We extend our gratitude to our festival supporters, without whom these concerts would not be possible, including the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Ajara, Tbilisi City Hall, Batumi City Hall, Borjomi City Hall, as well as the Italian, Brazilian, and Czech embassies in Georgia, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi.”
Osvaldo Biato Jr., Ambassador of Brazil to Georgia, remarked: “For the first time, the Embassy of Brazil is participating in this wonderful festival. We are thrilled that Brazilian music is so well-received in your country. ‘Night Serenades’ will further strengthen the ties between Georgia and Brazil. Thanks to the organizers, Giorgi Isakadze and Nina Tsagareli, and to the concert participants for their extraordinary performances of Brazilian music.”
Musician Lizi Ramishvili shared her thoughts: “I may not have known Ms. Liana Isakadze personally, but I am delighted to have participated in a festival she founded. This is my first time involved in ‘Night Serenades,’ and I feel fortunate to perform Brazilian music. My deepest thanks go to the organizers, participants, and audience for these unforgettable emotions.”
Singer Mariam Roinishvili added: “I am honored to be part of this concert. Brazilian music is truly special, and I love performing it. The evening was attended by distinguished guests, and I thank them for their warm ovation. A big thank you to the ‘Night Serenades’ organizers for providing unforgettable concerts for both participants and listeners.”
Musician Giorgi Oikashvili expressed his enthusiasm: “I am very happy to have participated again in the ‘Night Serenades’ festival. We had an amazing audience, and the evening was extraordinary. Many thanks to Giorgi Isakadze, Nina Tsagareli, and the festival’s base orchestra, ‘Virtuosos of Georgia.'”
Event Details:
- Location: Tbilisi, Vano Sarajishvili State Conservatory, Large Hall
- Date: September 17, 20:00
- Program Highlights:
- Alberto Nepomuceno – String Quartet No. 3 in D minor “Brasiliero”
- Heitor Villa-Lobos – Various works (Transcription by Nodar Kalandadze)
- Marlos Nobre – Poem III for Cello and Strings, Op. 94
- Luigi Bassi – Concert Fantasia on Themes from Rigoletto (Transcription by Irakli Areshidze)
- Darius Milhaud – Brasiliera (from the suite “Scaramouche”), Op. 165 No. 3 (Transcription by Irakli Areshidze)
- Shikinia Gonzaga – Corta Jaca
- Zequinia de Abreu – Tico Tico no Fubá
- Antonio Carlos Jobim – The Girl from Ipanema
Featured Musicians:
- Lizi Ramishvili – Cello, Georgia
- Mariam Roinishvili – Soprano, Georgia
- Giorgi Oikashvili – Clarinet, Georgia
- Festival Base Orchestra “Georgian Virtuosos” (First Violin: Lela Mchedlidze)
- Guest Musician: Mariam Makarashvili – Drums, Georgia
Lizi Ramishvili studied at the Kronberg Academy, the Geneva Conservatory, and the Queen Sofia Music School after graduating from the Central Music School named after Zakaria Paliashvili. She is a laureate of multiple international competitions and has participated in various international festivals.
Mariam Roinishvili made her debut at the Opera and Ballet Theater in 2015 with “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. Since then, she has regularly participated in opera productions. From 2014 to 2016, she attended a professional class at the Academy of Santa Cecilia under Renata Scotto and continues to pursue her operatic career.
Giorgi Oikashvili is a participant and laureate of numerous concerts, events, competitions, and festivals. Since 2012, he has been a member of “Camerton-Georgia,” representing the international project “Camerton.” He participates annually in concerts held in various cities in Georgia and Germany and holds a scholarship from the Richard Wagner Society in Germany.
This year’s festival was grandly inaugurated in Borjomi at the Borjomi Likan Hotel. On August 21, a gala concert featuring masterpieces of world cinema, works by Antonio Vivaldi, Astor Piazzolla, and songs by Revaz Lagidze and Vazha Azarashvili was held outdoors. The subsequent concerts took place at the State Drama Theater named after Ilia Chavchavadze in Batumi, featuring renowned Italian bandoneonist Mario Stefano Pietrodarki and virtuoso violinist Alvin Khoja Ganiev.
On September 15, attendees at the Tbilisi State Conservatory enjoyed Otorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, performed by Italian conductor Beatrice Venezi, pianist Sandro Nebieridze, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Internationally recognized performers and successful young musicians participating in this year’s festival include Beatrice Venezi (conductor, Italy), Sandro Nebieridze (piano, Georgia), Mario Stefano Pietrodarki (bandoneon, Italy), Elvin Khoja Ganiev (violin, Azerbaijan/Turkey), Andres Gabetta (violin, France), Maurice Steiger (recorder, Switzerland), Giorgi Shaverzashvili (piano, Georgia), Giorgi Khaindrava (violin, Georgia), and Mariam Kikaleishvili (mezzo-soprano, Georgia), among others. The festival’s base orchestra, “Virtuosos of Georgia,” traditionally accompanies the soloists.
Founded by the world-renowned violinist and conductor Liana Isakadze in 1982 in the picturesque region of Abkhazia, the “Night Serenades” festival is a traditional event with the longest history in Georgia. After a hiatus due to the events of 1991, it was revived in 2002 under the name “Celebration of Art” in Borjomi and returned to Batumi in 2009 as “Night Serenades.” As of 2023, Borjomi has been added to the festival cities. This year marks the sixteenth festival since its revival, now named in honor of Liana Isakadze.
The festival is organized by Art Alliance, directed by Nina Tsagareli, with Giorgi Isakadze serving as artistic director since 2018. He is a musician and educator, and the nephew of Liana Isakadze.
Supporters: Ministry of Culture and Sport of Georgia, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara, Tbilisi City Hall, Batumi City Hall, Borjomi City Hall, Embassy of Italy, Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of Czech Republic.
Hosts: Hotel Borjomi Likani, Hilton garden Inn Tbilisi.
Partners: Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Support Companies: GPC Pharmacy,Yves Rocher – the founder of herbal cosmetics from France, “Piel Naturals” – Georgian handmade cosmetics brand. Brothers Khutsishvili Wine Cellar, Wine Company „GEORGIAN LEGEND”.
Media partners: Public Broadcaster Adjara, Georgian Public Broadcaster, Rustavi 2, Imedi Media Holding, POSTV, Euronews Georgia, Media holding “Georgian Times”, Ertsulovneba TV, Media And Digital Communications Agency “Clip Art”, Ambebi.ge, “Prime Time” news agency, “Today“, “Messenger”, Journal “Sarke”, “Adjara” newspaper, online media “Ajara Times”, radio “Fortuna”, website “Fortuna.ge”.
