Keto and Kote
Encyclopedia
Keto and Kote is a comic opera
in three acts, by the Georgian
composer Victor Dolidze
who also wrote the libretto
based on Avksenty Tsagareli
's 19th century romantic comedy Khanuma. Considered the first Georgian comic opera, Keto and Kote premiered in Tbilisi
on December 11, 1919. An immediate success at its premiere, Dolidze's opera remains a popular classic in Georgia and was made into a film in 1947 with additional music composed by Archil Kereselidze on traditional Georgian folk tunes.
A review in Opera
of its 2003 performance by the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre
at the Rishon LeZion Spring Festival described it as "very much like a zarzuela
in style with elements of commedia dell'arte
". The story revolves around the young lovers Keto, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and Kote, nephew of the impoverished Prince Levan Palavandishvili. In order to marry, the couple must overcome several obstacles, including the machinations of two rival matchmakers
, one of whom is determined to arrange a marriage between Kote's uncle Levan and Keto.
Comic opera
Comic opera denotes a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a new operatic genre, opera buffa, emerged as an alternative to opera seria...
in three acts, by the Georgian
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
composer Victor Dolidze
Victor Dolidze
Viktor Isidorovich Dolidze Viktor Isidorovich Dolidze Viktor Isidorovich Dolidze (ვიქტორ ისიდორეს ძე დოლიძე (1890–1933) - Soviet Georgian composer.Victor Dolidze was born 18 (30) July, 1890 in the city of Kutaisi Province Ozurgeti in a poor peasant family.He studied at Tiflis commercial school...
who also wrote the libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
based on Avksenty Tsagareli
Avksenty Tsagareli
Avksenty Tsagareli was a Georgian playwright particularly known for his comedies. He was described in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia as "one of the finest representatives of realistic drama."Tsagareli was born in the village of Digomi and initially studied at a seminary...
's 19th century romantic comedy Khanuma. Considered the first Georgian comic opera, Keto and Kote premiered in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
on December 11, 1919. An immediate success at its premiere, Dolidze's opera remains a popular classic in Georgia and was made into a film in 1947 with additional music composed by Archil Kereselidze on traditional Georgian folk tunes.
A review in Opera
Opera (magazine)
Opera is a monthly British magazine devoted to covering all things related to opera.Based in London, the magazine was founded in 1950 by George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood. It was launched at the house of Richard Buckle, under the imprint 'Ballet Publications Ltd'...
of its 2003 performance by the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre
Tbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre is situated on Rustaveli Avenue, in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia. It is the oldest opera house in Georgia...
at the Rishon LeZion Spring Festival described it as "very much like a zarzuela
Zarzuela
Zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance...
in style with elements of commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
". The story revolves around the young lovers Keto, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and Kote, nephew of the impoverished Prince Levan Palavandishvili. In order to marry, the couple must overcome several obstacles, including the machinations of two rival matchmakers
Matchmaking
Matchmaking is any process of matching two people for the purpose of marriage or a sporting contest.-Practice:In some cultures, the role of the matchmaker was and is quite professionalized...
, one of whom is determined to arrange a marriage between Kote's uncle Levan and Keto.
Sources
- Egorova, Tatiana (1997). Soviet film music: an historical survey (English translation by Tatiana A. Ganf). Routledge. ISBN 3718659115
- Tbilisi Opera and Ballet TheatreTbilisi Opera and Ballet TheatreTbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre is situated on Rustaveli Avenue, in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia. It is the oldest opera house in Georgia...
(2007) Victor Dolidze - Keto and Kote