PROGRAM
MRAVALZHAMIERI – for our celebration
I wish that you will live long and with great happiness.
I. ADJARULI SUITE
Dances from
Adjaria and neighboring regions in south-western Georgia, along the Turkish
border. This group of dances is a snapshot of Georgian history and spirit.
Partsa is a vibrant dance which
brings the joy of dance into the town.
Adjaruli
Soloists: Gia Japaridze and Susanna Hatenboer
This dance is
done at festive occasions, and is always done with both men and women. The
Gandagan is a couple dance which is central to the performance.
The dance is
striking in the contrast of the strong active movements of the men against the
light undulating movements of the women. The interaction is free and open, even
frivolous and flirtatious.
Khorumi
Soloists: Dato Goderidze and Genadi Mskhiladze
Khorumi is
an ancient war dance. It has dance postures thought to date back thousands of
years. It traditionally has four parts, two of which are represented: the
scouting party and the approach of the enemy.
Khorumi
expresses the infinite strength of character of the Georgian people.
Kartuli
Ethel Hemsi and Victor Sirelson
Kartuli is the
quintessential Georgian dance. It is the one dance which has not been
choreographed for the stage but is danced according to very definite rules of
sequence and relation between the man and the woman. It consists of 5 sections
where the man invites the woman to join him, the dance together, the solo dance
of the man, the solo dance of the woman and the conclusion as they move
together.
The dance
expresses chivalry between Georgian men and women. The man shows a most
respectful attitude towards the woman.
It is characterized by keeping the upper body very still. Kartuli is
governed by very strict rules - the man must not touch the woman, not even with
his coat.
Orovela – an ancient work
song
Soloist: Mzia Bekurashvili
A song to the bounty of the earth. A man talks to his
ox as it is pulling the plow
Tsintsqaro–
an ancient song from Kakheti about the beauty of women
Soloists:
Mzia Bekurashvili and Davit
Ambrosidze
I saw a beautiful woman at the spring
She was holding a jug on her shoulder
I told her one word and she blushed
I wish long life for your parents who gave this world
such a beauty
Soloists: Ivan Batiashvili, Luka Begiashvili, Vladimer
Goderidze, Genadi Mskhiladze, Bondo Samanishvili,Gocha Shikladze
A powerful dance from the mountain region of Kasbegi.
Each dancer shows his best.
Manana Chitauri, Ann Fitzpatrick, Julie Hammet-Cone,
Susanna Hatenboer, Ethel Hemsi, Nona Iobashvili
A dance of the
women, danced at festive gatherings.
Soloists:
Mzia Bekurashvili , Zaira
Chokheli and Tamila Zatikashvili
I
rejoice from the duduk
I
live and get joy from the duduk
Without
the duduk I can’t unveil my heart to you
Duduko
Soloists:
Manana Chitauri and Davit Ambrosidze
Oh
duduk – you are my sweetest talisman
Your
melody soothes my burning heart
Preserve
my dear Tbilisi
I
never want to forget you.
Soloist:
Mzia Bekurashvili
When
I see you my heart becomes happier
I
feel warm inside me
I
am your slave
I
am your shadow
I
am asking God for your happiness
Soloist: Shorena Barbakadze
A woman dances
among the kinto.
Kintauri
A kinto in the old city of Tbilisi was a street
merchant. But not just a businessman as
we might think of them. He was a character such as
might step out of a novel of the old world. He was creative, quick and
humorous, always ready for a clever act. As a customer chose goods, the kinto
took a silk shawl from his sliver belt and used it as a kind of balance.
In this dance there is an oriental sense of rhythm,
extravagant dance steps and humorous and playful gestures. We find a delightful
blend of slapstick and virtuosity in this colorful dance.
Vano
Goderdzishvili and Lexo Goderdzishvili
VII. ESTRADA
(CONTEMPORARY SONGS)
Chemo
Tsisper Tvaleba– “O My Blue-eyed One”
by Nato
Gelashvili
Manana Chitauri and Davit Ambrosidze
Charirama– by Gomar
Sikharulidze from the movie Charirama
Maia Kiladze, Manana Chitauri, Shorena Barbakadze, Lexo
Goderdzishvili, Vano Goderdzishvili
Ethel Hemsi, Julie Hammet-Cone and Susanna Hatenboer
A dance for a
group of three women, in celebration of a wedding feast. They are thought to
represent the three muses of Art, Poetry and Music as shown in an ancient
fresco in a famous cathedral in Mtskheta.
The choreography
is both monumental and subdued. The dancers’ hands silently express the
ultimate fluidity found in the three faces.
Dance from
the opera Keto and Kote – by Viktor Dolidze
Vano Goderdzishvili - Salamuri, Davit Ambrosidze and
Lexo Goderdzishvili—Panduri
Potpouri Of
Georgian Folk Melodies
Vano Goderdzishvili - Salamuri, Davit Ambrosidze and
Lexo Goderdzishvili—Panduri
Torola –
the lark – A Rumanian melody by Georg
Enescu
Lexo Goderidze—Salamuri, Davit Ambrosidze and Vano
Goderdzishvili —Panduri
X. OSURI
Soloists: Gocha Shekiladze and Susanna Hatenboer
This graceful dance is based on Ossetian wedding
dances with mirror symmetry between the couples. The women glide and reflect
the silhouettes of the men. The long sleeves of the men indicate the respect
and restraint shown by the men towards the women. The traditional men’s dance
on the toes, or “Tseri” is performed.
Shorena Barbakadze
An oriental
dance performed in the Georgian style—representing the hunt for the magic doe.
The mountain
region of Svaneti has its own language and is culturally separate from the
other regions to the east. Common to the mountain regions the men dance with
vigor, with special techniques on the toes.
Soloists:
Mzia Bekurashvili , Zaira
Chokheli and Tamila Zatikashvili
Samargalo – Megrelian song
O Megrelia – for
our homeland
Shenma Survilma
I hunger so much for you that my soul is almost
extinguished
Soloists: Bondo Samanishvili and Shorena Barbakadze
From the far
northeastern region of Khevsureti, a girl enters, looking for her beloved. He
appears only to encounter others, precipitating an energetic battle with
sword and shield. When the girl throws down her headress, the men must stop
according to tradtion, only to renew their battle soon after
Salaghobo – A patriotic song about the motherland
by Revaz Laghidze
Soloist: Vano Goderidze
Play some music.
The kindzhal (sword) will feel this and will conquer in the war
Samshoblo
Soloist: Davit Ambrosidze and Vano Goderidze
I will go on the mountain
I will sing a strong song
I will call all Georgian
men to defend our homeland
High in the mountains the
women dance with grace and vigor.
Dances from the Mtiuleti Mountains. The men use very
strong, sharp movements. The women too are strong and agile. With haunting
melodies and pulsing rhythms, these will not be soon forgotten.