Nino Machaidze (born 8 March 1985) is a Georgian operatic soprano known for her performances in both the lyric and coloratura repertoire. She gained international recognition following her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 2008 as Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and has since performed regularly at major opera houses worldwide.
Early life and education
Machaidze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she began studying piano at the age of five and later pursued vocal training. She attended the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, graduating in 2005. She subsequently continued her studies at the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, under the tutelage of prominent teachers including Lela Burchuladze.
Career
Machaidze’s professional debut occurred in 2006 when she performed the role of Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Her breakthrough came after winning the first prize at the 2007 "Vittorio Gui" competition in Milan, which led to engagements at leading European venues.
Key milestones include:
- Metropolitan Opera (2008–present): Debut as Zerlina; subsequent roles have included Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare, Norina in Don Pasquale, and the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor.
- Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: Appearances as Susanna (Figaro) and Desirée (The Tales of Hoffmann).
- La Scala, Milan: Performances as Nannetta in Falstaff and Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier.
- Other notable houses: Bavarian State Opera, Paris Opera, Salzburg Festival, and the Vienna State Opera.
Machaidze is recognized for her bright timbre, technical agility, and expressive diction in multiple languages, including Italian, German, French, and Russian.
Repertoire
Her extensive repertoire spans works by Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, and contemporary composers. Frequently performed roles include:
- Zerlina (Don Giovanni)
- Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro)
- Norina (Don Pasquale)
- Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor)
- Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier)
- Juliette (Roméo et Juliette)
Recordings and media
Machaidze has recorded several operatic arias and full-length performances for major labels, including a DVD of *Rossini's Il turco in Italia from the 2014 Salzburg Festival. She also appears on live streaming platforms and has participated in televised concerts, broadening her audience beyond traditional opera-goers.
Awards and honors
- 2007: First prize, "Vittorio Gui" competition, Milan
- 2010: International Opera Awards, “Best Newcomer” (nominee)
- 2015: Georgian Presidential Order of Friendship for cultural contributions (awarded by the President of Georgia)
Personal life
Machaidze resides primarily in Zurich, Switzerland, and maintains an active engagement with Georgian cultural initiatives, including mentorship programs for young singers from her native country.
References
Information compiled from publicly available biographical sources, opera house archives, and professional press releases as of 2024.
