History of Symphonic Orchestra
The idea of establishing the Ajara Symphony Orchestra was born in 1977, which was further adopted by Eduard Aznaurian, a teacher and conductor of the Orchestra Department of Zakaria Paliashvili Music School. After a year of hard work, in October 1978 the first concert was held, followed by nominating it as the Ajara State Symphony Orchestra in November. Giorgi Gotsiridze was invited from Odessa to take the position of the chief conductor and art director of the Orchestra, and Shalva Megrelishvili became the second conductor.
In 1981-1982 Teimuraz Peradze was the Orchestra conductor. From 1983 to 1987 the position of the conductor passed to Tariel Dugladze. Since 1987 David Mukeria has become the chief conductor and art director, who later received Shota Rustaveli State Award and led the Orchestra for 25 years. Famous maestros have been invited by the administration to work with the Orchestra: Jansugh Kakhidze, Odissey Dimitriadi, Givi and Zaza Azmaiparishvili, Avtandil Mamatsashvili, Revaz Takidze, and Giorgi Zhordania.
2003 was marked by the solo concert of the great Russian cello player Mstislav Rostropovich performed with the Orchestra.
In 2004 Ajara State Symphony Orchestra joined Batumi State Musical Center and got more actively involved in promoting the classical music.
Between 2009 and 2011 two concerts of the orchestra were conducted by Adan Symphony Orchestra (Turkey) conductor Emin Guven Yaslicam and Finnish Conductor Carrie Tuck.
The Symphony Orchestra concerts were managed by famous musicians such as: Eter Anjaparidze, Eliso Bolkvadze, Valerian Shiukashvili, Liana Isakadze, Paata Burchuladze, Badri Maisuradze, Lamara Chkonia, Aleko Khomeriki, Mariam Jakhutashvili, Elene Obrastsova, Mstislav Rostropovich, Makvala Kasrashvili, Manana Doijashvili, Alexandre Korsantia, etc. including conductors from Turkey, Finland, Japan, Germany, and Lithuania.
The Symphony Orchestra was involved in the following opera performances: Abesalom and Etery and Daisi by Zakaria Paliashvili, Lela by Revaz Laghidze, Aida, Othello, Un ballo in maschera, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, Keto and Kote by Victor Dolidze; as well as the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi, and Requiem by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
In 2010 a young American pianist Peter Allen had a solo concert with the Orchestra. The solo concerts were also held by violinists Marine and Irina Iashvili. Batumi Opera and Ballet soloists, Alexandre Khomeriki, Mariam Jakhutashvili, Zaza Khamatashvili, and Irakli Kakhidze, have frequently participated in the gala concerts of the Orchestra.
In August 2011 Batumi International Summer Festival hosted Italian musicians, violinists Francesco Mariotti and Flute player Giovanni Roselli who played together with the Symphony Orchestra. The current conductors of the Orchestra are David Mukeria, Mamuka Alapishvili, and Ilia Inaishvili.
The repertoire of the Symphony Orchestra of Batumi State Musical Center: symphonies, overtures, and piano concerts by Beethoven, Fantasy by Beethoven for four soloists, a chorus, and a symphony orchestra; symphonies and piano concerts by Mozart, Mozart’s Requiem for four soloists, a chorus, and a symphony orchestra, Mozart’s overtures; Mendelssohn’ symphonies and Violin Concert; Schubert’s symphony; Haydn's symphonies, unfinished symphony, and piano concerts; symphonies and Hungarian Dances by Brahms; Slavonic Dances and cello concert by Dvořak; cello concert by Saint-Saëns; violin concert by Tchaikovsky; piano concerts by Grieg, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, Weber’s Oberon Overture and piano concert, Strauss’ waltz, Gershwin’s piano concert Rhapsody in Blue, Ravel’s Bolero for a symphony orchestra.
Opera: Zakaria Paliashvili – Abesalom and Etery
Zakaria Paliashvili - Daisi
Revaz Laghidze – Lela
Victor Dolidze – Keto and Kote
Giuseppe Verdi – Aida
Giuseppe Verdi – Othello
Giuseppe Verdi – Un ballo in maschera
Giuseppe Verdi – La Traviata
Pietro Mascagni – Cavalleria rusticana
Gaetano Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor
19/II 2013