Awarded the main prize of the festival "Golden Orpheus" (Bulgaria, 1968)
Awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor (1971)
Awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1976)
Honorary member of the Bologna Academy of Music (Italy), elected "for a brilliant interpretation of Verdi's works"
Awarded with the Order of Honor of the Republic of Georgia (1997)
Awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (2001)

Born in Sukhumi (Abkhazia, Georgia). In 1960 he graduated from the Tbilisi Polytechnic Institute, in 1965 - from the Tbilisi Conservatory (class of D. Ya. Andguladze), in 1972 - postgraduate studies at the Tbilisi Conservatory. Trained at the La Scala Theater (heads - D. Barra and Z . Piazza, 1966-1968), where he prepared the parts of the Duke in the opera "Rigoletto" by G. Verdi, Jose in the opera "Carmen" by G. Bizet, Turrida in the opera "Rural Honor" by P. Mascagni. After that, in Italy they began to call him one of the best interpreters of Italian opera classics.

In 1970, E. Obraztsova and Z. Sotkilava became the first Soviet singers to perform at the very difficult International Vocal Competition. F. Viñas in Barcelona. They received gold medals and an invitation to stay in Spain. Critics noted that Z. Sotkilava is one of the best opera singers “with a voice brilliant in timbre, excellent technique, great musicality and expression”, that his voice and singing can be compared with the voice of Mario del Monaco or di Stefano in their best years. For a brilliant interpretation of Verdi's works, the Bologna Academy of Music elected Z. Sotkilava its honorary member.

Pedagogical activity:

In 1976-1988. taught at the Moscow Conservatory, since 1987 - Professor of the Department of Solo Singing. In 2002, he resumed teaching at the Moscow Conservatory. Among the students are V. Bogachev, V. Redkin, A. Fedin and others.

Singer (lyric-dramatic tenor)
Honored Artist of the Georgian SSR (Georgia) (1970)
People's Artist of the Georgian SSR (1973)
People's Artist of the USSR (1979)

Laureate of the International Vocal Competition at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sofia (I prize, 1968)
Laureate of the IV International Competition. P. I. Tchaikovsky (1970, II prize)
Laureate of the International Vocal Competition. F. Viñas in Barcelona (1970, 1st prize and Grand Prix)
Laureate of the State Prize of the Georgian SSR. Z. Paliashvili (1983)
Laureate of the Shota Rustaveli State Prize of the Republic of Georgia (1998)

Participation in the jury of competitions:

Chairman of the jury in the nomination "vocal art" of the International Competition. P. I. Tchaikovsky (1994). Chairman of the jury of the film festival of the CIS and Baltic countries "Kinoshock" (Anapa, 2000).

Concert activity. Main repertoire:

In 1965-1974 Z. Sotkilava - soloist of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater. Z. Paliashvili. In 1973 he made his debut at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow as Jose (Carmen by G. Bizet), since 1974 he was invited to the opera troupe. At the Bolshoi Theater he performed the following parts: Vaudemont (Iolanthe by P. I. Tchaikovsky); Abesalom ("Abesalom and Eteri" by Z. Paliashvili); Cavaradossi (Tosca by G. Puccini); Manrico ("Troubadour" by G. Verdi); Radamès (Aida by G. Verdi); Otello (Otello by G. Verdi); Richard (Masquerade Ball by G. Verdi); José (Carmen by J. Bizet); Arzakan (The Abduction of the Moon by O. Taktakishvili).

In 1995, he participated in the premiere of the first production of the opera Khovanshchina in the history of the Bolshoi Theater in the version by D. Shostakovich (stage conductor M. Rostropovich, stage director B. Pokrovsky), performing the part of Golitsyn. He also performed this role in the last production of Khovanshchina at the Bolshoi Theater in 2002 (stage conductor A. Vedernikov, stage director Yu. Aleksandrov).

On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, the singer performed with V. Atlantov, E. Nesterenko, T. Milashkina, I. Arkhipova, M. Kasrashvili, E. Obraztsova and other outstanding artists. Tours a lot abroad. He performed especially often in Italy. Repertoire (at the Bolshoi Theatre):

• Manrico ("Troubadour" by G. Verdi)
• Mario Cavaradossi (Tosca by G. Puccini)
• Vaudemont (Iolanthe by P. Tchaikovsky)
• Radamès (Aida by G. Verdi)
• Indian guest (Sadko by N. Rimsky-Korsakov)
• Arzakan (The Abduction of the Moon by O. Taktakishvili) — first performer
• Otello (Otello by G. Verdi)
• Richard (Un ballo in masquerade by G. Verdi)
• Turiddu (Country Honor by P. Mascagni)
• Baron Calloandro (The Beautiful Miller's Woman by G. Paisiello) — first performer at the Bolshoi Theater
• Pretender (Boris Godunov by M. Mussorgsky)
• Golitsyn ("Khovanshchina" by M. Mussorgsky)
• Ishmael (Nabucco by G. Verdi)

Discography

The company "Sony" released discs: "Italian classical music" and "Russian classical music".

SOTKILAVA Zurab Lavrentievich- (b. 1937) singer (lyrical dramatic tenor), People's Artist of the USSR (1979). In 1965 74 at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theatre, since 1974 at the Bolshoi Theatre. 1st prize at the International Vocal Competition named after F. Viñas (Barcelona), 2nd Prize for ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Sotkilava, Zurab Lavrentievich- SOTKILAVA Zurab Lavrentievich (born in 1937), Georgian singer (lyrical-dramatic tenor). Since 1965 at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theatre, since 1974 at the Bolshoi Theatre. The performance of Sotkilava is characterized by temperament and sincerity. The best parts of Othello ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Sotkilava Zurab Lavrentievich- (b. 1937), singer (lyric dramatic tenor), People's Artist of the USSR (1979). Student of D. Ya. Andguladze. In 1965 74 at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theatre, since 1974 at the Bolshoi Theatre. 2nd prize at the International Competition. P. I. Tchaikovsky (1970, Moscow) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Sotkilava, Zurab Lavrentievich- Opera singer, People's Artist of the USSR; was born on March 12, 1937 in the city of Sukhumi, Abkhaz ASSR; graduated from the Tbilisi Polytechnic Institute and the Tbilisi Conservatory, professor; 1965 1974 worked at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater (Tbilisi); since 1974 ... Big biographical encyclopedia

Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava- Opera singer, lyrical dramatic tenor, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, People's Artist of the USSR and the Georgian SSR Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava was born on March 12, 1937 in the city of Sukhumi (Abkhazia). Father - Lavrenty Sotkilava was a historian, ... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava- (Georgian ზურაბ სოტკილავა; born 1937) Soviet and Russian opera singer (lyric dramatic tenor), teacher, People's Artist of the USSR (1979) .. Contents 1 Biography 2 Recognition and awards ... Wikipedia

Sotkilava- Sotkilava, Zurab Lavrentievich Zurab Sotkilava Full name Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava Date of birth March 12, 1937 (1937 03 12) (73 years old) Place of birth Sukhumi ... Wikipedia

SOTKILAVA- Zurab Lavrentievich (born in 1937), Georgian singer (lyrical dramatic tenor). Since 1965 at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theatre, since 1974 at the Bolshoi Theatre. The performance of Sotkilava is characterized by temperament and sincerity. The best parts of Othello (Othello ... ... Modern Encyclopedia

SOTKILAVA- Zurab Lavrentievich (born 1937), singer (lyrical dramatic tenor), People's Artist of the USSR (1979). A student of D. Ya. Andguladze, he trained in Italy. In 1965 74 at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theatre, since 1974 at the Bolshoi Theatre. 2nd prize at the International ... ... Russian history

Zurab Sotkilava- Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava (Georgian ზურაბ სოტკილავა; born 1937) Soviet and Russian opera singer (lyrical dramatic tenor), teacher, People's Artist of the USSR (1979) .. Contents 1 Biography 2 Recognition and awards ... Wikipedia

Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava was born on March 12, 1937 in Sukhumi. “First, I should probably say about genes: my grandmother and mother played the guitar and sang great,” says Sotkilava. - I remember they sat on the street near the house, performed old Georgian songs, and I sang along with them. I did not think about any singing career either then or later. Interestingly, many years later, my father, who has no hearing at all, supported my operatic endeavors, and my mother, who has absolute pitch, was categorically against it.

And yet, in childhood, Zurab's main love was not singing, but football. Over time, he showed good abilities. He got into the Sukhumi Dynamo, where at the age of 16 he was considered a rising star. Sotkilava played in the place of the wingback, he joined the attacks a lot and successfully, running a hundred meters in 11.1 seconds!

In 1956, Zurab became the captain of the Georgian national team at the age of 20. Two years later, he got into the main team of Dynamo Tbilisi. The most memorable for Sotkilava was the game with Dynamo Moscow.

“I am proud that I took the field against Lev Yashin himself,” recalls Sotkilava. - We got to know Lev Ivanovich better, already when I was a singer and was friends with Nikolai Nikolaevich Ozerov. Together we went to Yashin to the hospital after the operation ... On the example of the great goalkeeper, I was once again convinced that the more a person has achieved in life, the more modest he is. And we lost that match with a score of 1:3.

By the way, this was my last game for Dynamo. In one of the interviews, I said that the forward of the Muscovites Urin made me a singer, and many people thought that he had crippled me. In no case! He just outright outplayed me. But it was half the trouble. Soon we flew to Yugoslavia, where I got a fracture and left the squad. In 1959 he tried to return. But the trip to Czechoslovakia finally put an end to my football career. There I received another serious injury, and after some time I was expelled ...

At 1958, when I was playing in Dynamo Tbilisi, I came home to Sukhumi for a week. Once, the pianist Valeria Razumovskaya, who always admired my voice and said who I would eventually become, dropped in on my parents. At that time I did not attach any importance to her words, but nevertheless I agreed to come to some visiting professor of the conservatory from Tbilisi for an audition. My voice didn't make much of an impression on him. And here, imagine, football again played a decisive role! At that time, Meskhi, Metreveli, Barkaya were already shining at Dynamo, and it was impossible to get a ticket to the stadium. So, at first, I became a supplier of tickets for the professor: he came to pick them up at the Dynamo base in Digomi. In gratitude, the professor invited me to his home, we began to study. And suddenly he tells me that in just a few lessons I have made great progress and I have an operatic future!

But even then, the prospect made me laugh. I seriously thought about singing only after I was expelled from Dynamo. The professor listened to me and said: "Well, stop getting dirty in the mud, let's do a clean job." And a year later, in July 1960, I first defended my diploma at the mining department of the Tbilisi Polytechnic Institute, and a day later I was already taking exams at the conservatory. And was accepted. By the way, we studied at the same time as Nadar Akhalkatsi, who preferred the Institute of Railway Transport. We had such battles in inter-institutional football tournaments that the stadium for 25 thousand spectators was packed!”

Sotkilava came to the Tbilisi Conservatory as a baritone, but soon Professor D.Ya. Andguladze corrected the mistake: of course, the new student has a magnificent lyric-dramatic tenor. In 1965, the young singer made his debut on the Tbilisi stage as Cavaradossi in Puccini's Tosca. The success exceeded all expectations. Zurab performed at the Georgian State Opera and Ballet Theater from 1965 to 1974. The talent of a promising singer at home was sought to be supported and developed, and in 1966 Sotkilava was sent for an internship at the famous Milan theater La Scala.

Best of the day

There he trained with the best bel canto specialists. He worked tirelessly, and after all, his head could have been spinning after the words of maestro Genarro Barra, who then wrote: “Zurab’s young voice reminded me of the tenors of bygone times.” It was about the times of E. Caruso, B. Gigli and other sorcerers of the Italian scene.

In Italy, the singer improved for two years, after which he took part in the festival of young vocalists "Golden Orpheus". His performance was triumphant: Sotkilava won the main prize of the Bulgarian festival. Two years later - a new success, this time at one of the most important International competitions - named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow: Sotkilava was awarded the second prize.

After a new triumph, in 1970, - First Prize and Grand Prix at the F. Viñas International Vocal Competition in Barcelona - David Andguladze said: “Zurab Sotkilava is a gifted singer, very musical, his voice, of an unusually beautiful timbre, does not leaves the listener indifferent. The vocalist emotionally and vividly conveys the nature of the performed works, fully reveals the composer's intention. And the most remarkable feature of his character is diligence, the desire to comprehend all the secrets of art. He studies every day, we have almost the same "schedule of lessons" as in his student years.

“At first glance,” he recalls, “it might seem that I quickly got used to Moscow and easily entered the Bolshoi Opera team. But it's not. At first it was difficult for me, and many thanks to the people who were next to me at that time. And Sotkilava names the director G. Pankov, the concertmaster L. Mogilevskaya and, of course, his partners in performances.

The premiere of Verdi's Otello at the Bolshoi Theater was a notable event, and Sotkilava's Otello was a revelation.

“Working on the part of Othello,” Sotkilava said, “opened up new horizons for me, forced me to reconsider much of what had been done, gave birth to other creative criteria. The role of Othello is that peak from which it is clearly visible, although it is difficult to reach it. Now, when there is no human depth, psychological complexity in this or that image offered by the score, it is not so interesting to me. What is the artist's happiness? Waste yourself, your nerves, spend on wear and tear, not thinking about the next performance. But work should make you want to waste yourself like that, for this you need big tasks that are interesting to solve ... "

Another outstanding achievement of the artist was the role of Turiddu in Mascagni's Rural Honor. First on the concert stage, then at the Bolshoi Theater, Sotkilava achieved tremendous power of figurative expressiveness. Commenting on this work of his, the singer emphasizes: “Country Honor” is a verist opera, an opera of high intensity of passions. It is possible to convey this in a concert performance, which, of course, should not be reduced to abstract music-making from a book with musical notation. The main thing is to take care of gaining inner freedom, which is so necessary for the artist both on the opera stage and on the concert stage. In the music of Mascagni, in his opera ensembles, there are multiple repetitions of the same intonations. And here it is very important for the performer to remember the danger of monotony. Repeating, for example, one and the same word, you need to find the undercurrent of musical thought, coloring, shading the various semantic meanings of this word. There is no need to artificially inflate yourself and it is not known what to play. The pathetic intensity of passion in Rural Honor must be pure and sincere.”

The strength of Zurab Sotkilava's art is that it always brings people sincere purity of feeling. This is the secret of his continued success. The singer's foreign tours were no exception.

"One of the most brilliantly beautiful voices that exists anywhere today." This is how the reviewer responded to the performance of Zurab Sotkilava at the Champs-Elysées Theater in Paris. This was the beginning of the foreign tour of the wonderful Soviet singer. Following the “shock of discovery”, new triumphs followed - a brilliant success in the USA and then in Italy, in Milan. The ratings of the American press were also enthusiastic: “A large voice of excellent evenness and beauty in all registers. The artistry of Sotkilava comes directly from the heart.”

The 1978 tour made the singer a world-famous celebrity - numerous invitations to participate in performances, in concerts, in recordings followed ...

In 1979, his artistic merits were awarded the highest award - the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

“Zurab Sotkilava is the owner of a tenor of rare beauty, bright, sonorous, with brilliant upper notes and a strong middle register,” writes S. Savanko. - Voices of this magnitude are rare. Excellent natural data were developed and strengthened by the professional school, which the singer passed in his homeland and in Milan. Sotkilava's performing style is dominated by signs of classical Italian bel canto, which is especially felt in the singer's opera activity. The core of his stage repertoire consists of lyrical and dramatic roles: Othello, Radamès (Aida), Manrico (Il trovatore), Richard (Un ballo in maschera), José (Carmen), Cavaradossi (Tosca). He also sings Vaudemont in Iolanthe by Tchaikovsky, as well as in Georgian operas - Abesalom in the performance of the Tbilisi Opera House "Abesalom and Eteri" by Z. Paliashvili and Arzakan in "The Abduction of the Moon" by O. Taktakishvili. Sotkilava subtly feels the specifics of each part, it is no coincidence that the breadth of the stylistic range inherent in the art of the singer was noted in critical responses.

“Sotkilava is a classic hero-lover of the Italian opera,” says E. Dorozhkin. - All "J." - obviously him: Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini. However, there is one significant "but". Of the entire set necessary for the image of a womanizer, Sotkilava fully possesses, as the enthusiastic Russian president rightly noted in his message to the hero of the day, only "an amazingly beautiful voice" and "natural artistry." In order to enjoy the same love of the public as Georgesand's Andzoletto (namely, this kind of love surrounds the singer now), these qualities are not enough. Wise Sotkilava, however, did not seek to acquire others. He took not by number, but by skill. Completely ignoring the light disapproving whisper of the hall, he sang Manrico, the Duke and Radamès. This, perhaps, is the only thing in which he was and remains a Georgian - to do his job, no matter what, not for a second doubting his own merits.

The last stage bastion that Sotkilava took was Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov. The impostor - the most Russian of all the Russian characters in Russian opera - Sotkilava sang in such a way that the blue-eyed blond singers, who fiercely followed what was happening from the dusty wings, never dreamed of singing. The absolute Timoshka came out - and in fact, Grishka Otrepyev was Timoshka.

Sotkilava is a secular person. And secular in the best sense of the word. Unlike many of his colleagues in the artistic workshop, the singer honors with his presence not only those events that are inevitably followed by a plentiful buffet table, but also those that are intended for true connoisseurs of beauty. Sotkilava earns money on a jar of olives with anchovies himself. And the singer's wife also cooks wonderfully.

Sotkilava performs, although not often, on the concert stage. Here his repertoire consists mainly of Russian and Italian music. At the same time, the singer tends to focus specifically on the chamber repertoire, on romance lyrics, relatively rarely turning to concert performances of opera excerpts, which is quite common in vocal programs. Plastic relief, bulge of dramatic solutions are combined in Sotkilava's interpretation with special intimacy, lyrical warmth and softness, which are rare in a singer with such a large-scale voice.

Since 1987, Sotkilava has been teaching solo singing at the Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky. But, undoubtedly, the singer himself will also give the listeners many pleasant minutes.

Shame on you, Mr. Sotkilava!
Anatoly 15.08.2008 08:51:43

For all readers, I am copying the statement of the Soloist of the Bolshoi Theater:
People's Artist of the USSR Zurab Sotkilava makes a special statement in connection with the events in Georgia.

“I am outraged by the actions of the Russian Federation in relation to Georgia. Now is not the time to determine whose land it is and who is to blame. Russia must stop bombing peaceful cities,” he says.

According to him, the destruction of the capital of Georgia is the dream of not so few Russian politicians.

“Why are they bombing Zugdidi and the Kodori Gorge?! The front line is expanding. It destroys and damages Georgian cities that have nothing to do with the Tskhinvali region,” he says.

According to Sotkilava, Russia violates international law. Russian channels cover these events one-sidedly.

“Why does Russia care about the death of only the peaceful Ossetian population, but no one says anything about the dead Georgian civilian population?! Why is such a big media machine deceiving us?! This is unacceptable!” he says.

Mr. Sotkilava! Love for the Motherland and its people, and support for the fascist Saakashvili are not the same thing! Should you leave Russia? After such vile statements, I think it will be hard for you here!

On March 12, 1937, the future outstanding opera soloist Zurab Sotkilava was born in Sukhumi. But then no one had any idea who this boy would grow up to be and what a famous loud singer he would turn into. Zurab grew up in a musical family, where Georgian songs were often played with a guitar. It was played by his mother and grandmother. The boy was always present when they performed their drawn-out melodies for acquaintances and just passers-by, singing along to the songs. Sotkilava never dreamed of a career as a singer, he linked his future only with football. In the lower grades, he played in the school team, but at the same time studied music in the violin and piano classes.

His mother, a woman with absolute pitch and a doctor by profession, brought her son to music. The boy adored only sports and dreamed of becoming a famous football player. Thanks to his dedication, diligence, intensive training, at the age of 16 he already became part of the Dynamo youth team, and at the age of 19 he became the captain of the Georgian national team.

And at the age of 21, he made his debut in the first part of Dynamo in Tbilisi. The winger developed good speed and could easily run across to the attacker. The hundred-meter dash was given to Zurab in just 11 seconds. It was his personal best.

Once there was a match between Georgian and Moscow Dynamo. Where Sotkilava fought Lev Yashin himself. Then Georgia lost with a score of 1:3, but the singer remembered this day for a long time. A year after this match, Zurab will have to give up his football career due to a dangerous injury received at a match in Czechoslovakia. Before that, there were still damages, but the latter was incompatible with participation in games. And I had to leave football.

Career

An unsuccessful sports biography indirectly led the artist to his future great career. At 21, Zurab began to try his hand at vocals. He was inspired to do this by accidentally witnessing the singing, by a pianist who knew the Sotkilava family. Having come to visit and, having heard the duet of her son with her mother, she saw the potential in him and showed him to the professor of the conservatory. In exchange for tickets, which at that time were very difficult to get for football matches, the professor began to give lessons in vocal art. Once a sensitive teacher said that Zurab had a bright future. To which the future singer answered with laughter, not believing in the loud statement.

In 1960, already by that time a former football player, he graduated from the Polytechnic Institute. And in the same year he applied to the conservatory in his city. The admission took place, but the opinions of the father and mother on this matter differed. The father supported his son in his choice, and the mother was categorically against it. But the deed was done, and Sotkilava became a student at the conservatory. In the first year, his voice sounded like a baritone, or rather, that's how he was defined. But later they realized that the singer is the owner of a rare lyric tenor. After a conservatory education, her career began to take off. Having made his debut at the local opera and ballet theatre, Zurab began to trust the leading roles in the opera and was compared with the famous tenors of those times. Three years later, in the competition of young vocalists in Bulgaria, the singer triumphed and took the first prize. A year later - 2nd place in the international competition of I.P. Tchaikovsky in Moscow. And first place in Barcelona.

In 1973, that finest hour came when Sotkilava performed at the Bolshoi Theater, he was invited to the troupe immediately after the performance. After he was entrusted with Othello, he no longer lowered his level and worked, literally, for wear and tear.

France, Italy, Japan, America - tours around the world. The contribution to the world opera potential of the brilliant opera singer is invaluable. Sotkilava began to conquer the world and the army of fans increased more and more rapidly. Such talent, demand, universal recognition - could not but bring the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

Personal life

Zurab met his future wife at the conservatory. He recalls that it was love at one single glance and for life. Elisa, having learned about the unearthly voice of Zurab, came to him for a rehearsal. After her, they did not part, spent all the time together and, soon after graduating from the conservatory, they got married in 1965.

This beautiful couple, after a while, had two daughters Thea (1967) and Keti (1971). The family was his inspiration. Zurab and Elisa often performed together, he sang, and she played the piano. His wife was his muse, friend, assistant, critic of creativity, support and support. These are just small words that Zurab spoke about his beloved. She was his everything.

Illness and death

This happened in the summer of 2015. The singer is diagnosed with an incurable cancer. Pancreatic cancer sounded like a death sentence. When Zurab went to the doctor because of the rapid weight loss, it was already too late, the cancer progressed. In Germany, the best doctors operated on the singer. Returning to Russia, he underwent another course of chemotherapy. It seemed that the singer was on the mend and even began to give concerts.

Not a day of despair, he continued to work. For two more years he taught at the conservatory. But in 2017, on September 17, there was a relapse and the outstanding singer died. He left this land at the age of 80, without having time to give his last anniversary concert.

Advice 2: Zurab Matua: biography, creativity, career, personal life

Zurab Matua is a member of the famous comedy group. Troika Sorokin, Averin, Matua is known to all fans of the Comedy Club. Their jokes quickly scatter into quotes, the artists charge with positive for a long time.

The real name of the popular resident is Nikolai Nikeshin. He is Georgian, however, he lives in St. Petersburg almost all his life. The future Zurab Matua was born in Sukhumi in 1980, on November 15.

On the road to humor

According to the mother's stories, the birth of the baby was marked not by crying, but by the performance of an incomprehensible melody. The family after the birth of the baby moved to St. Petersburg. There the boy went to the gymnasium from the age of seven.

The study did not call for any complaints. A diligent student became a fan of the series "Octopus". The boy's dream was to imitate Commissioner Katani. However, the desire to go into law enforcement as they grew older became weaker.

After graduation, the graduate decided to get an education at the Graduate School of Management. He chose the direction of municipal and state administration. The student had been thinking about starting his own business for a long time.

A couple of years later, he began to realize his dream. The guy looked at the first steps quite realistically. He knew perfectly well that he would not become a magnate instantly. The accumulated funds were enough to open a small company selling ice cream.

Having tried the role of a supplier of sweet treats, Zurab realized that this craft did not captivate him at all, despite the fact that the business was rapidly going uphill. Matua was convinced that it was not a matter of choosing a sphere. He did not seem interested in any other business option.

Leaving the business, Zurab offered his friends the organization of a team of cheerful and resourceful people in a well-known television club. The idea was supported. Very soon, the performance of jokes and miniatures created by Zurab began. After a short time, Matua left the team.

Realization of talent

He performed in several compositions. Among them are "Controversial", "Joint team of KVN of St. Petersburg", Ministry of Emergency Situations, "TO". The experience gained made it possible to participate in the Baltika team, get into the Minsk Euroleague, and become a finalist in the Governor's Cup. Matua's miniatures turned out to be interesting. Zurab also took on the role of a vocalist. He understood that he had a talent, and therefore went to the competition "People's Artist" in 2003. The young man passed all the qualifying rounds successfully. However, being among the top hundred singers, he left the project. The jury advised him to take humor seriously.

The reason was that Matua forgot the lyrics of the song's chorus. He decided to put the text of one of the creations for KVN instead of the original words. The jury considered the joke successful and the guy was allowed to go further. Repeating the situation no longer seemed like a brilliant idea. The guy was advised to joke, not to hooligan. The humorous chorus did not fit the format of the competition. Zurab was not at all upset and decided to follow the recommendation.

A few buddies were professional intros. Zurab consulted with them. It was decided to go to work in one of the clubs in St. Petersburg. The audience was entertained with jokes. The company soon became desirable in other establishments as well. Started a successful career in the world of humorous show business.

A little time passed, and Matua turned into one of the most recognizable in St. Petersburg. The guy dreamed of more. He did not refuse the offer to participate in the creation of the final of the popular comedy show from the St. Petersburg branch. The executive director of Comedy Club Moscow Style drew attention to talented young people.

He decided to involve the company in the popular Comedy Club. Soon the team turned into "Cjvedy Petersburg". The performances were so successful, the guys were invited to the main line-up of the capital. Recognition and fame Success was phenomenal. The first performances began solo. Zurab coped with the new role perfectly.

However, he was more remembered for the famous tandem with Sorokin and Averin. It was this line-up of showmen that the audience liked the most. The guys worked well together, so they decided to continue to work together. As a result, one of the brightest teams of the rating project appeared.

Family life

It is difficult to imagine a modern Comedy Club without the company's sparkling jokes. The team is distinguished by immediacy and ease of perception from others. Zurab has a lot of fans. The humorist's wife takes such popularity calmly. She perfectly understands that her husband's activity with constant communication is directly related. It also includes communication with the fair sex.

Anastasia, according to Zurab, always remains the most beautiful for him. She does not arrange scenes of jealousy for any convenient occasion. The comedian himself is sure that he will never betray his wife. She became an ideal for him, without which a happy personal life is unthinkable.

The couple met while Matua was working in one of the St. Petersburg clubs. He drew attention to the girl immediately. It took a long time to take care of the chosen one. The sympathy turned out to be mutual, but Nastya was in no hurry with recognition. Since the beginning of the novel, there has been no talk of starting a family.

After several years of meetings, it was decided to get married. Weddings were played in Tbilisi. The bride danced the national dance of Georgia. The surprise worked. Zurab admits that he is happy in life. There is a beloved wife, a wonderful job.

He calls the appearance of a child in the family the most important success. The comedian boasts double luck: he has a son, Luke, and a daughter, Mary.

Sources:

• Zurab Matua: biography, personal life, activities and interesting facts

Opera singer, lyric-dramatic tenor, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, People's Artist of the USSR and the Georgian SSR Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava was born on March 12, 1937 in the city of Sukhumi (now Sukhum, the Republic of Abkhazia). His father, Lavrentiy Sotkilava, was a historian, and his mother, Ksenia Karchava, worked as a doctor.

Since childhood, Zurab was fond of football. At the age of 16, he joined the junior team of the Georgian national team, then became its captain. In 1956, the team won the All-Union competitions, and Sotkilava was accepted into the main team of Dynamo Tbilisi.

Vocal Zurab with Professor of the Tbilisi Conservatory Nikolai Bokuchava. Classes were held in the interval between football training and games. After an injury received in 1959, Sotkilava could no longer continue playing football and decided to devote himself to operatic singing.

In 1960, after graduating from the Mining Faculty of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, he was admitted to the Tbilisi State Conservatory named after V. Sarajishvili. At first, his voice was defined as a baritone, but, while studying in his third year, Sotkilava fell into the class of David Andguladze, who discovered the lyric-dramatic tenor in a student, which led to further achievements of the young singer.

In 1965, Zurab Sotkilava graduated from the Tbilisi Conservatory, in 1972 - postgraduate studies at the Tbilisi Conservatory.

After graduating from the conservatory, he was admitted to the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater named after Z. Paliashvili. He made a successful debut performing leading roles in various operas, including Tosca and La bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi, national operas Abesalom and Eteri by Zakharia Paliashvili, Mindia by Otar Taktakishvili and others.

In 1966-1968, Zurab Sotkilava trained at the La Scala Theater under the direction of Gennaro Barra and Enrico Piazza, where he prepared the role of the Duke in Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto, Jose in Georges Bizet's Carmen, Turrida in Pietro Mascagni's Rural Honor . After that, in Italy they began to call him one of the best interpreters of Italian opera classics.

In 1973, Sotkilava made his debut at the Bolshoi Theater as Jose in the opera Carmen.

In 1974, the singer was invited to the Bolshoi Theater Opera Company.

At the Bolshoi, in different years, he performed the parts of Manrico in Il trovatore, Radamès in Aida, Richard in Un ballo in maschera, Ishmael in Nabucco and Otello in Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name, Mario Cavaradossi in Giacomo Puccini's Tosca , Turiddu in Pietro Mascagni's Rustic Honor. The singer's repertoire included the Russian operas "Iolanta" by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, "Sadko" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, "Boris Godunov" and "Khovanshchina" by Modest Mussorgsky. Zurab Sotkilava was the first performer of the parts of Baron Kalloandro in Giovanni Paisiello's The Beautiful Miller's Woman and Arzakan in Otar Taktakishvili's The Rape of the Moon.

In 1995, the singer participated in the premiere of the first production of the opera Khovanshchina in the history of the Bolshoi Theater, edited by Dmitry Shostakovich, performing the part of Golitsyn. He also performed this role in the production of "Khovanshchina" at the Bolshoi Theater in 2002.

Sotkilava has repeatedly performed on the stages of the best opera houses in the world: La Scala, the London Royal Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Dresden Opera, the Norwegian Opera, the Bologna Communale Theatre, the Liceo opera houses in Barcelona and La Fenice in Venice. In 1970-1990, the tenor made large concert tours in the cities of Europe, Great Britain, the USA and Japan.

In recent years, the singer's solo performances have been held in concert halls in Moscow and St. Petersburg, cities in Russia and neighboring countries. The repertoire of the concerts included not only opera arias, but also romances by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, cycles by German composers Strauss and Wolff, Georgian and Russian folk songs, Italian and Spanish songs.

Zurab Sotkilava was a teacher. In 1976-1988 he worked at the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky at the department of solo singing, since 1987 he was a professor at the department. In 2002, Sotkilava resumed teaching at the conservatory. Among the master's students are Vladimir Bogachev, Vladimir Redkin, Alexander Fedin and many others.

The work of Zurab Sotkilava was marked by many prizes and awards. In 1973, the singer was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Georgian SSR, in 1983 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

In 1968, Zurab Sotkilava was awarded the first prize and the Golden Orpheus prize at the IX World Festival of Youth and Students in Sofia. In 1970, he received the II prize and a silver medal at the IV International Competition named after P.I. Tchaikovsky in Moscow, the Grand Prix and the first prize at the Francisco Viñas International Vocal Competition in Barcelona.

For the interpretation of Verdi's works, the Bologna Academy of Music elected Zurab Sotkilava its honorary member.

In 1983 he became a laureate of the State Prize of the Georgian SSR named after Z. Paliashvili, in 1998 he received the State Prize of the Republic of Georgia named after Sh. Rustaveli.