Deep, deeply and deeper unsung operas by Georgian composers

[febnyc]

Thanks to a friend who owns a large collection of vinyl recordings of obscure music, I've had the opportunity to hear some magnificent operas which never have had any exposure in the West.  There are recordings available, obviously, but they're difficult to come across.

Presently I am listening to Mindia, by Otar Taktakishvili (1924-1989).  The music is glorious.  It is paced languidly with gorgeous arias and a meltingly beautiful duet in the second act.  I have no libretto at all and don't know what is going on - but who cares?  Here's a Youtube example of what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RWI-izx-o&feature=related.

Also I have enjoyed Daisi (Twilight), by Zakaria Paliashvili (1871-1933).  Another gem of an opera.

Waiting in the wings, another Paliashvili opera - Absalom & Eteri - here's an aria sample:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M-R6PBzbU&feature=related.

There are other Youtube references to these operas, including some actual scenes. 

These magnificent, unknown works are worth hearing and worth a search for the LPs.

PS - If anyone knows the location a translated libretto of any of these, I'd be grateful for the info.

[JSK]

Just recently I came across streaming for two of Paliashvili's operas online. Haven't listened to them yet though. This website also seems to have streams of several other Georgian composers.

http://www.georgian-music.com/free_music/030.php

[Christopher]

You can buy music by these and other Georgian composers from this site:
http://www.classical-music-cd.me4u.biz/   (and Georgian church music from http://www.church-music-cd.me4u.biz/ )

The guy who manages it is called Temur, based in Tbilisi.  I have ordered several things from him in the past and he is reliable. Email address is support@me4u.biz .  He also directed me as follows:

"By the way, you can listen to some samples (not of good quality to  avoid Copyright issues) from here:
http://www.georgian-music.com/free_music/folk.php
http://www.georgian-music.com/free_music/classic.php
http://www.georgian-music.com/free_music/sacred.php 
There were a few customers who purchased the whole collection of classical music (just all disks) in bulk and, of course, I provided them with sufficient discount in that case and add gifts also."