JEMAL CHKUASELI
Jemal Chkuaseli was born on May 18, 1935 in the family of a famous choirmaster and singer the great Shermandi Chkuaseli in Guria, Tsitelmta village (Shemoqmedi district).
Jemal Chkuaseli was born on May 18, 1935 in the family of a famous choirmaster and singer the great Shermandi Chkuaseli in Guria, Tsitelmta village (Shemoqmedi district). His childhood was marked with indelible beauty of his village, infinite love of Georgian song, affection of his parents and neighboring villagers. In 1955 Jemal Chkuaseli moves to live in Tbilisi. At that time there was an outstandingly good ensemble, headed by the choirmaster Gogi Gugushvili. Inspired by his passion for the ensemble, he made his decision an in 1962 he enrolled in Agricultural Institute of Georgia. Later on, he got interested in the amateur actor’s drama club formed in the Institute. He first performed in the play Maya of Tskneti (Maya Tskneteli). His performance in the role of Bezhana was truly sensational. Those involved in theatrical world advised him to pursue that career, but genes prevailed… and he went back to his beloved ensemble. In 1976 there was a vacancy in State Ensemble of Georgian Folk Singing and Dancing (now Erisioni) Jemal’s friends Jansugh Kakhidze, Jano Giorgadze, Mishiko Shengelia, Guram Sagharadze, Dato Berdzenishvili, Zaur Bolkvadze and others insisted that he participated in the competition, and he did so. The great choirmaster was closely connected with them not only through friendship, but also fascinating artistic relations. This indeed was a milestone in Jemal Chkuaseli’s life, leading to immense success of his and the ensemble. He always noted that his friends played a significant role in it
Then there was Kutaisi...
Then there was Kutaisi. In 1979, Jemal Chkuaseli was appointed as the artistic director of the Kutaisi State Song and Dance Ensemble founded by him. With 7 years of hard work, he managed to bring the ensemble to the highest creative level.
It was in Kutaisi that Mr. Jemal showed great professionalism and dedication to the work. The first concert was held on March 4, 1982, on the stage of the L. Meskhishvili State Theater.
Everyone in Kutaisi celebrated the birth of the State Song and Dance Ensemble that day. The ensemble soon visited the capital, and on March 10, the concert in the great Philharmonic Concert Hall was a huge success.
And in 1986, by order of the then Minister of Culture - Valery Asatiani, Jemal Chkuaseli was appointed as the artistic director of the State Honorary Georgian Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. On May 31, 1990, the great ensemble was awarded the title of academic ensemble. Prominent and meritorious professionals of Georgian folklore worked in the ensemble at different times. Nevertheless, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the golden age of Erisioni commenced with the tandem of Jemal Chkuaseli and Revaz Chokhonelidze. In 1999, following the recommendation of Levan Gvinjilia, the ensemble was named Erisioni, which, according to Sulkhan-Saba's definition, means sky high, above the peaks of the mountains. With the help of foreign partners and investors, it became possible to breathe new life into the ensemble and gain worldwide recognition. In 1999-2007, the world-famous show-programs Georgian Legend and Georgian Storm were implemented, which are associated with the name of the American producer, Jim Lowe.
Georgian State Honored Ensemble of Folk Song and Dance
Under Mr. Jemal Chkuaseli’s management in the 80s of the last century the ensemble recorded audio recordings of many Georgian folk songs, most of which are included in the current album.
Jim Lowe said: ‘Erisioni is a museum of Georgian folklore, this is the ensemble that will give wings to my project.’ Erisioni toured a great number of countries with the projects and was immensely successful. International press wrote about the ensemble: ‘A tornado has broken through the galaxy’ - newspaper Galaxy wrote about Erisioni show-program - (January 23, 2002, Paris) ‘The triumph due to... the combination of the something ancient with the modern technology, which emphasizes the ancient centuries-old traditions’ - France-Soir (17.07.2004 Paris) ‘This is much more than folklore. This is the highest perfection’- (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger + Kölnische Rundschau, 20.06.2007) ‘Georgian singers and dancers excite us with their creativity" - (Los Angeles Times, 26.01.2000, USA) etc. Jemal Chkuaseli himself says: "I have never had an easy life, but I am a man who enjoys the dawn, because every day I enjoy a magnificent sight."
