Victor Dolidze - Keto and Kote

Text And Photoes By Paata Vardanashvili

Comic opera in 3 acts. Libretto by Victor Dolidze. By Tsagareli’s comedy “Khanuma”. Premiere in Tbilisi in 1919 on the 11 –th of October, 1991 production.

Conductor Revaz Takidze
Director Giga Lordkipanidze
Designer Teimuraz Murvanidze
Choreographer Davit Javrishvili, Irakli Tushishvili
Costume designer Ivane Askurava
Cast
Keto - Nino Chachua

Kote - George Makharadze

Makar - Tariel Tchitchinadze

Levan - Sulkhan Gvelesiani

Barbale - Leila Gotsiridze

Babusi - Vardo Tsertsvadze

Maro - Irina Aleksidze

Sako - Givi Peikrishvili

Siko - Nugzar Gelashvili

One of the most interesting pages of Georgian music history is connected with Victor Dolidze’s name. He is known as the author of the first Georgian comic opera. This genre determined his creative work. Victor Dolidze was gifted with all the features so essential for a composer and dramatist: talent, temperament, sharp feeling of theatricality, ability to create distinguished musical and scenic characters and situations. He is the first Georgian composer to include humorous, comic and satirical elements into Georgian music. Dolidze’s creative activity counts only 15 years, but his talent flourished at unusually high speed. He is one of those, who achieve much success immediately after coming onto artistic arena. At the age of 27 Dolidze composed his opera “Keto and Kote”, which was staged in 1919 and brought immediate fame to the author. Dolidze wrote other operas too - “Leila” and “Tsisana”; sadly, he never completed the latter. Apart from operas the composer created more than 20 romances, symphonic pieces “Azerbaijan”, symphonic fantasy “Iveriada”, a piano concert, orchestra pieces, etc. But Dolidze’s name is primarily identified with a brilliant example of Georgian classical opera “Keto and Kote”.

History of creation of the opera.

The opera “Keto and Kote” is based on the play entitled “Khanuma” by Avksenti Tsagareli (1857-1902), a well-known Georgian comediographer and dramatist. Tsagareli is a representative of the Pleiad of Georgian intelligentsia who fell under the influence of Russian populist movement. Sometimes he was referred to as “Georgian Dostoevsky”. Ilia Chavchavadze spoke of Tsagareli’s plays as of “live examples of modern life”. Vaso Abashidze regarded him as a true king of comicality. Tsagareli played important role in the development of Georgian theatre and national dramaturgy by introducing realism and typical national characters. In his plays, he sneers at the stagnant traditions of patriarchal way of life. He wrote “Khanuma” in 1882 and attracted public interest at once. The play was popular at pre-revolutionary Georgian theatre, which was greatly due to the author’s artistic skill, urgency of the plot, sharp social satire, dynamic development of scenes and skillfully depicted characters. In 1926 Alexander Tsutsunava adapted the play for his film “Khanuma”. In 1947 Vakhtang Tabliashvili and Shalva Gedevanishvili made a musical film entitled “Keto and Kote”. The idea of creating an opera on Tsagareli’s play occurred to Dolidze after his return from Kiev. It took him a year to complete it. Dolidze himself wrote the libretto and asked Ioseb Grishashvili, a renowned Georgian poet, to edit the text. Grishashvili also wrote verses for the opera characters Siko and Sako. It should be mentioned that the composer put more emphasis on the comical moments as compared to the original play; instead of one kinto he introduced two and intensified the rival between two matchmakers. In order to achieve stronger comical effect, each character has a counter personage: a bankrupt nobleman and a rich merchant, matchmakers and kintos and young educated Keto and Kote. Thus the libretto is rich in diversity of social portraits. The opera was staged by Alexander Tsutsunava and was conducted by Sergei Stolerman. The first night took place on 11 December, 1919. The opera was an immediate success to young unknown composer Victor Dolidze. After the successful presentation, the tickets were booked for the following ten performances. “Keto and Kote” is Dolidze’s most popular and at the same time most valuable work from artistic standpoint. It occupies a distinguished place in the history of Georgian music history for splendid music, theatricality and flexible dramaturgy. It is a true masterpiece of national comic opera. From the stylistic point of view, the opera is closely connected with both Tbilisi town folklore and traditions of Italian opera school.“Keto and Kote” has an interesting scenic history. It was put on the stage several times in various years. Present performance is the variant from 1991. It should be mentioned that the same year the company were awarded State Prize. “Keto and Keto” was first serious success outside Georgia in Moscow and Leningrad at the Days of Georgian Literature and Art in 1937. At various times it was staged at 20 opera houses throughout the Soviet Union as well as abroad – in Poland (twice), Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. SynopsisLocation and Time – Tbilisi suburbs, 80-ies of second half of XIX century

I act

The dinner-party is given in the house of Prince Levan Palavandishvili. Matchmaker Babusi tries to arrange Levan’s betrothal with Keto – beautiful daughter of rich merchant Makar Tkuilkotriashvili.Levan’s nephew Kote arrives from far travel. When he visits his uncle, finds out Levan’s intention to marry Keto.Horrorstricken Kote addresses to famous matchmaker Barbale and she promises him helping for good consideration.Barbale and Babusi are fighting each of them wants to be Levan’s matchmaker. The prince proposes them to cast the lot. Winner Babusi is laughing at Barbale.

II act

On engagement day, Keto is despaired, as she loves Levan’s nephew Kote.According to Barbale’s advice Kote appears in piano-tuner’s role at Makar’s home.The guests are gathering. False information comes to Makar, that he’s summoned to inspector. Troubled Makar apologizes to guests and goes. Levan impatiently waits to see his fair fiancée. And here she is. Barbale dressed in Keto’s clothes comes out with grimacing. Prince Levan is very revolted and insulted with “fiancée’s” abnormality, he pulls out the sabre.

Scared guests scatter away.

III act

Barbale gives promise to merchant, that she will marry Keto to prince in church. In an hour Barbale takes a conditional letter, where Makar is agreed with marriage between Keto and … embarrassed Makar forgets fiancée’s name … Kote – dictates deft Barbale.

Keto and Barbale are hurrying to the church, where Kote is waiting for them.Excited Babusi is running in church. Everything gets clear. But it’s already late. Keto and Kote have got married.Everything finishes with common joy.

Uploaded on March 2, 2007 by Paata Vardanashvili

More (Georgia Today): The Resurrection of a Georgian Opera Legend

“Keto and Kote” return to the Tbilisi Opera Theatre after a two-year hiatus.

The opera “Keto and Kote” is one of Georgia’s most popular and at the same time most valuable works of art. It occupies a distinguished place in the history of Georgian cultural history for its superb music, theatricality and flexible dramaturgy. It is a masterpiece of comic opera for all generations. ...

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