Draft:Mzia Nioradze

Mzia Nioradze (born on October 16, 1962, in Tbilisi, Georgia) is an opera singer renowned for her performances across more than 48 roles for mezzo-soprano or contralto in prestigious theaters worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera and Paris Opera. She holds the distinction of being the first Georgian woman opera singer to grace the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was awarded an Honorable Mention by the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, on December 13, 2023.

Nioradze's has been acclaimed in prestigious publications around the world, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Ms. Nioradze served as a jury member on two occasions at the Nodar Gabunia II International Competition for Young Musicians. The competition was held at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire Recital Hall in both 2013 and 2015. During her tenure, she acted as a judge for the "Voice" section. Additionally, she shares her expertise by conducting master classes for aspiring opera singers.

In 2001, Nioradze made her United States debut at the Houston Grand Opera, portraying Konchakovna in "Prince Igor". Her Metropolitan Opera debut followed, where she portrayed various roles in "War and Peace" and "Rigoletto". Other notable performances include "Carmen" at the San Francisco Opera, Marina in 'Boris Godunov" at the Lyon Opera, and Azucena in "Il Trovatore" at Marseilles.

Mzia Nioradze is the sister of the renowned Georgian ballerina, Irma Nioradze.

Education and Career
In 1986 Mzia Nioradze graduated from the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire and in 1994 went on to study at the Accademia d'Arte Lirica di Osimo in Italy.

From 1991 to 1992 Mzia was the soloist at the Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Theater in Tbilisi, where she performed the lead roles in 'Don Carlos", "Troubadour", "Rigoletto", "Daisi", "Abesalom and Eteri".

In 1996, Mzia's debut took place on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater in the title/lead role in the opera "Carmen." She has since performed all the female lead roles in Verdi's operas, as well as leading mezzo-soprano and contralto roles in various operas by Russian composers.

In 1997 Nioradze has toured in Israel with the Mariinsky Theatre.

In 2000, Ms. Nioradze took part in a new reinvented production of "War and Peace" at the Opéra de Paris, France. Her role was Elena Bezukhova.

In 2001 Mzia Nioradze made her first US appearance in the role of Konchakovna in a new production of "Prince Igor" at the Houston Grand Opera, Houston, Texas, USA.

In 2002Ms. Nioradze made her Metropolitan Opera, NYC debut in "War and Peace" performing the roles of Elena Bezkhova, Matriosha and Mavra Kusminichna, and was also featured as Maddalena in "Rigoletto", conducted by Placido Domingo.

In 2003 Ms. Nioradze made her debut at the San Francisco Opera in "Carmen" by Bizet. In all the cities of the United States, audiences and critics enthusiastically welcomed Ms. Nioradze. She also sang Jejibaba in "Rusalka" at the Lyon Opera in France that year. Ms. Nioradze gained international attention and praise for her performances of Azucena in Verdi's "Il Trovatore" in Marseille, France.

In 2004-2005, Ms. Nioradze, She also returned to her native Georgia to perform in Verdi's "Aida" and Verdi's "Requiem."

In 2005, Ms. Nioradze had a great success as Federica in Verdi's "Luisa Miller", staged by the Dallas Opera, Texas, U.S.A. She later sang in Bologna and Modena in Italy and did a recording of Verdi's Requiem and aired on main national tv-channel NPO in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

In the 2006-2007 season, Ms. Nioradze appeared on opera stages in France, delivering performances as Adalgisa in Vincenzo Bellini's "Norma." Additionally, she performed in Latin America, captivating audiences with her portrayal of Azucena in Santiago, Chile, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In 2007 Ms. Nioradze performed at the Orange Festival. Ms. Nioradze is mentioned on Wikipedia page of Il trovatore as she performed a role of Azucena in a Recording taken live at the Chorégies d'Orange.

The 2008-2009 season brought Ms. Nioradze back to The Metropolitan Operain NYC where she sang Ulrica in "Un ballo in Maschera", Azucena in "Il Trovatore" at Opera de Lausanne (Switzerland), La Zia Principessa in "Suor Angelica" at Florida Grand Opera, Adalgisa in "Norma" at Opera de Massy (France). She returned to Lyon (France), as Marina Mnishek in "Boris Godunov" and sang Delilah in St. Petersburg (Russia) conducted by Tugan Sokhiev. At that time, Ms. Nioradze also sang - Fhilipievna at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" and performed in Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tsar's Bride" at Carnegie Hall in Opera Orchestra of New York production.

In the 2010 season Ms. Nioradze recorded the role of Azucena with Marcelo Alvarez at the Teatro Regio di Parma (Italy) and performed the role of Azucena in "Il Trovatore" with Opera de Massy in Paris (France).

In the following 2011-2012 season Mzia once again shining on the Metropolitan Opera stage as Ulrica in "Un ballo in Maschera', Azucena in "Il Trovatore" at the Opera di Avignon (France) and Amneris in "Aida" with the Oslo Opera (Norway).

During the 2013-14 season, Ms. Nioradze performed the Azucena in "Il Trovatore" in The Metropolitan Opera, New York, in Telaviv, Israel She perfomed Marina Mnishek in "Boris Godunov", Mistress Quickly in "Falstaff" at the Glyndebourne Festival (the UK), Azucena in "Il Trovatore" at the Aurora Opera House (Malta) and Timisoara Opera (Romania).

In 2014 Mzia was a guest artist at the Latvian National Opera and Vilnius Opera (Lithuania) where she performed the roles of Azucena in "Il Trovatore" and Ulrica in "Un ballo in Maschera".

In the 2015-16 season Ms. Nioradze returns to The Metropolitan Opera singing the role of Marta in "Iolanta" and Azucena in "Il Trovatore". On February 14th of 2015 the opera "Iolanta" was broadcasted live over The Toll Brothers – Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network..

In 2018 she returned to the Mariinsky Opera House (Russia), where she sang in "Aida".

In 2019 Mzia Nioradze also delighted listeners with the debut as Countess, "The Queen of Spades" In the Vilnius City Opera House (Lithuania).

In 2019 to mid-2020 and full lockdown due to Сovid-19, Ms. Nioradze performed at the Mariinsky Theater (Russia) with the role of Countess in "Queen of Spades", Verdi "Il Trovatore", lead role of Azucena, and Amneris in "Aida".

Awards and Honorable Mentions
On December 21, 2023, Ms. Nioradze performed at Holocaust Remembrance Evening at Brooklyn College, NYC and received the Certificate of Appreciation "for generous contribution toward supporting the people of Israel during these devastating times".

On December 13, 2023, The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams awarded Mzia Nioradze with an Honorable Mention: "Whereas, Mzia is an authentic force for public good. Her drive, generosity, and unparalleled resolve have not only carried her great success and prosperity, but they have also redefined her field and strengthened her community. Mzia is a testament to the excellence and unlimited potential of all our Georgian sisters and brothers, and as a proud New Yorker, she has brought so much joy and light to the people of the five boroughs".

In 1999 Ms. Nioradze won the Elena Obraztsova International Competition for Young Singers in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 1997, Mzia Nioradze was a finalist of the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition in Vienna.

In 1996, Ms. Nioradze became a finalist of the International Competition of Young Opera Singers "Rimsky–Korsakov" in St. Petersburg, Russia, and received a special diploma for her performance in the role of Isabella from Rossini's "L'italiana in Algeri".

Media Coverage and Online Platforms
Mzia Nioradze's talent has been an object of interest of Georgian and Foreign TV Channels as well as of prestigious publications around the world.

In 2001 "The New York Times" journalist Bernard Holland, in his review of the opera "Prince Igor," mentioned that Mzia Nioradze's dark voice smoldered appropriately as Konchakovna.

In 2002 "Washington Post" in its' article about "War and Peace" wrote: "The Husky-voiced mezzo-soprano Mzia Nioradze made something sad and memorable from her cameo as the Gypsy Matryosha.

In 2015, the Georgian TV Channel "Religia" produced a segment dedicated solely to Mzia Nioradze and her work. The program named "Portraits with Mariam Bagrationi" aimed to introduce successful Georgian public figures from various fields, showcasing their talents not only locally but also abroad, and introducing Georgian talent to foreign audiences.

On November 14th 2015 Ms. Nioradze had her first solo-concert in Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire which she dedicated to the people of France that suffered from terrorist attacks that took place on November 13th of 2015.

National Parliamentary Library of Georgia wrote Ms. Nioradze's biography on its official webpage, specifically in the section dedicated to Georgians abroad..

Information about Ms. Nioradze can be found on the official webpages of the Latvian National Opera Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre  St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonia.

The important information can be also found on Mzia Nioradze's official webpage.

Ms. Nioradze has her own page on OPERABASE and IMDB