Evgeni Mikeladze (1903-1937)

Evgeni Mikeladze was famous Georgian conductor. His career had remarkable impact on the establishment and development of the National Orchestra of Georgia.

Due to his interminable energy and inspiration, the first independent professional State Symphonic Orchestra was established in 1933. It played significant role of the popularization not only classical symphonic music in general but the development of Georgian symphonic music as well. Ev. Mikeladze orchestra became the laboratory for the young composers, who were engaged actively in symphonic genre and afterwards became such well- known names as Andria Balanchivadze, Shalva  Mshvelidze, Aleksander (Aleksi) Machavariani  and others. Working with MIkeladze was already solid ground for professional growing, for innovative thinking and refining professional individuality. 

Anton Tsulukidze, famous Georgian musicologist, once noted: “ Evgeni Mikeladze was true commander of the symphonic life of Georgia”.

Evgeni Mikeladze’s active performing life and dedication to work made it possible, that in just 6 years- he, still young, only a graduate of Leningrad Conservatoire under Alexander Gauk, famous Russian conductor - completely changed Tbilisi Musical life and its quality. In order to set up high standard of performance culture, he removed amateurish - provincial mannerism from opera and symphonic music. At the end, through his immense efforts, one of the best Georgian Symphonic Orchestras was established in the short period in the former Soviet Union. This orchestra performed such significant creations of classical symphonic repertoire: L.V. Beethoven, J. Brahms, F. Shubert, R. Shuman, H. Berlioz as well as Russian Classic composers as P. Tchaikovsky, S. Rachmaninoff, S.  Prokofiev, etc.

Once, Dmitri Shostakovich, genius Russian composer, said: “Evgeni Mikeladze is pride of the Soviet conducting school” and his words was said during the period when such famous conductors as Ev. Mravinski and N. Rabinovich were on the stage.

Evgeni Mikeladze achieved great performing results in the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre where he was invited after graduation from the Leningrad conservatoire in 1931.      

In 1934, after pass away of Ivane Phaliahsvili, he became a chief conductor and during 1936-37 Artistic Director of the Opera. During this short period, around 20 operas  were staged or renovated including G. Verdi’s “Aida”, “Troubadour”, “Othello”,      G. Puccini’s “Tosca”, C. Saint-Saëns ”Samson and Dalilah”, M. Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov”, etc. In this renewed stages Mikeladze was appraised as a high professional, demanding and dedicated performer. After decades, above staged operas remain as the best performing examples.

Evgeni Mikeladze’s life was broken at the peak of its performing carrier. He was only 34 when he became a victim of 1937 cruel repressions of Soviet era along with other well-known representatives of Georgian intellectual elite.

His name remains memorable within the national musical art due to his huge accomplishments and high achievements.

“In the joy of creativity and education of new generation for the art brings happiness and creates essence of my life” wrote Ev. Mikeladze.  These words became central direction of the school named after him.