History of Chapel
Ajara State Chapel was founded on the basis of the opera band in 1998 (March 10, Decision No. 22 on Establishment of Ajara State Chapel) with the extended membership of 120 singers. The chapel took part in International Opera festival Bravo held in Tbilisi that year. Worldwide famous opera stars were also invited: baritone-Renato Bruson, Bass-Paata Burchuladze, Tenors-Badri Maisuradze, Kristjan Johannsson, Sopranos-Maria Markey, Andrea Rost, Tamar Javakhishvili and others. The chapel was recognized to be a group of high standards.
It should be noted that such recognition and success of the chapel were based on the contribution of the chief chorusmeister Avtandil Chkhenkeli and concertmeister Jinevra Bauzhadze.
In 1998-2003 Ajara State Chapel was the only one considered to be the first with its level of professional performance and number of members.
Nowadays Chapel of Batumi state Musical Center includes 70 singers - performers.
In 2003-2004 the chief chorusmeister of the chapel was Ketevan Manelishvili; chorusmeister - Lela Dolidze and concertmeister - Tamar Topuridze.
The Ordinance No. 111 of 30 September 2004 of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Autonomous Republic of Ajara initiated a complete reorganization of Ajara State Chapel, Batumi State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Ajara State Symphony Orchestra and State Opera and Ballet Theatre for Children on 1 October 2004, which became the basis for establishing Batumi State Musical Center.
In 2004-2012 the chief chorusmeister of Batumi State Musical Center was Ketevan Manelishvili, chorusmeister Lela Dolidze and concertmeister-Tamar Topuridze.
Since 2013 onwards Ketevan Manelishvili has been a consultant to the chapel, choirmaster Lela Dolidze, concertmeister - Tamar Topuridze.
In parallel to going on tours Chapel of Batumi State Musical Center used to conduct concerts of a diverse repertoire (compositions by Georgian composers for the chorus performance as well as chapel compositions by foreign composers).
Since the establishment of Batumi State Musical Center, the chapel has been actively involved in various concerts and opera performances.
1998 was the year when the chapel participated in the International Opera Festival in Aspendos (Turkey).
In May 2001 the chapel participated in the cultural events during the Days of Adjara Culture held in Moscow.
The same year Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Ballo in Maschera and Requiem were staged in Batumi (Director: David Mukeria).
In 2002 Mozart’s Requiem was performed in Tbilisi together with the Batumi Symphony Orchestra.
25 January was marked by the chapel’s performance of the anthems of Georgia and European Commission during the inauguration of the Georgian President.
On 9-10 May 2005 Tbilisi hosted the US President George Bush’s official visit. The Chapel of Batumi State Musical Center performed the anthems of Georgia and the US.
During 1020-1011 the chapel participated in New Year’s concerts together with the world starts such as Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Paata Burchuladze, Lado Ataneli, Zurab Sotkilava, Sopho Nizharadze, Keti Kvemoklidze, Nino Surguladze, etc.
On 27 July 2011 the chapel was one of the performers in the event to honor the visit of the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski.
In August 2011 the chapel participated in the premiere of the musical Keto and Kote that was a celebration of the opening of the reinstated Batumi Musical Center.
In 2011 and 2012 Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Lucia di Lammemmoor (Director: David Mukeria) became a success on the Batumi stage.
In 2011 and 2012 the chapel received a high appraisal and a diploma at the Chapel Music Festival in Tbilisi.