Gianandrea Noseda Appointed Music Director Of New Tsinandali Festival

Credit: Broadway World

On August 2, 2018, in Verbier, Switzerland, a stunning resort village located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Georgian based Tsinandali Foundation unveiled its plans for establishing the Tsinandali Festival and the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra which are set to launch on September 8, 2019, in the village of Tsinandali, Georgia.

The home of the Tsinandali Festival and the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra is a newly renovated, astonishing Georgian landmark, the Tsinandali Estate founded by Prince Alexander Chavchavadze’s family in 1690. With its original winery and breathtaking park Tsinandali Estate is being transformed into a global tourist destination thanks to a significant investment from the founders of Tsinandali Foundation, Silk Road Group, and its partners.

While the crown jewel of the Tsinandali Estate will be the star-packed Tsinandali Festival and a cultural and educational center which will house the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra, the ultimate vision of Tsinandali Foundation is to position the Tsinandali Estate as the center for peace and prosperity throughout the Caucasus region and to showcase Georgia’s centuries-old Georgian virtue – the art of hospitality — on the global stage.

As of this fall, the historic estate will open its doors to a luxury Radisson Collection hotel, combined with a state-of-the-art winery continuing Georgia’s winemaking heritage going back eight thousand years, and spectacular 1,000 seat and 500 seat concert halls. The renovated Tsinandali Estate masterfully displays a link between ancient and modern architecture incorporating delicately crafted design touches by German superstar industrial designer, Ingo Maurer.

In Verbier on August 2, 2018, Tsinandali Foundation, in partnership with the Georgian Government and the founders of the Verbier Festival, Avi Shoshani, and Martin Engstroem, celebrated an important milestone: the appointment of superstar conductor, Gianandrea Noseda, as the music director of the Tsinandali Festival.

Gianandrea Noseda is one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, equally recognized for his artistry in both the concert hall and opera house.

Since 2017, Noseda has served as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. He is Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Orquesta de Cadaqués, and Artistic Director of the Stresa Festival in Stresa, Italy. On July 2, 2018, it was announced that Maestro Noseda was appointed next General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House and he shall start his engagement there in 2021.

Noseda has led performances with the most important orchestras and at the leading opera houses and festivals including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, La Scala, Munich Philharmonic, MET Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, NHK Symphony, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Opera House, Salzburg Festival, Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony and Zurich Opera House.

Noseda’s appointment will provide young talent participating in the Tsinandali Music Academy, as well as members of Tsinandali’s Pan-Caucasus Youth Orchestra with unique access to his unparalleled knowledge in the world of classical music. His involvement in the Tsinandali Festival will add another powerful voice to Tsinandali Foundation’s noble quest for peace and prosperity in the Caucasus region.

Since the beginning of its revival, the Tsinandali Estate has hosted a number of unforgettable classical music performances from the brightest stars of our time, such as the legendary Zubin Mehta and Gidon Kremer, Kremerata Baltica, Joshua Bell, Khatia Buniatishvili and Lisa Batiashvili, all have struck the chords of peace there.

Now Tsinandali Foundation, the Georgian Government, and the founders of the Verbier festival are eager to write a new chapter in the history of the majestic Tsinandali Estate where Music will speak the language of Peace and Prosperity in the Caucasus.

Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director of Tsinandali Festival: “The belief that music carries the power to unite all human beings, regardless of their provenance, political and religious convictions and social status it has always guided my choices. I have therefore accepted with great enthusiasm the invitation to become music director of the Tsinandali Festival with the idea to form a new generation of music talents selected in the Caucasus region to create the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra: through the passion, the engagement and the sharing of common values that the young will dedicate to reach a high level of quality and art, I am convinced we can – all together – influence the development of a better society based on respect, tolerance, and admission. I am grateful to Avi Shoshani and Martin Engstroem for having invited me to take part in this exciting project. ”

George Ramishvili, Founder, and Chairman of Silk Road Group: “Tsinandali Foundation is committed to investing in the bright and peaceful future of the talented young musicians of the region” says the Chairman of the board of the Silk Road Group, George Ramishvili- “Our vision for the Tsinandali Estate from day one, when the Silk Road Group engaged with the project was always to establish a meaningful and sustainable cultural and educational center in Georgia. My friend and partner, Yerkin Tatishev, joined in with the same understanding from the very beginning. The importance of the Language of Music initiative cannot be underestimated, as the Music is the most powerful ambassador for peace, prosperity and for strengthening the cultural and economic ties among the Caucasian nations.”

David Sakvarelidze, Director of Tsinandali Festival: “We are beyond excited about Maestro Noseda’s appointment as the Head conductor of the Tsinandali International Classic Music Festival.

He will undoubtedly play a profound role in our quest of providing the regional youth with unique opportunities to effectively integrate themselves into the magical world of music.”

Martin Engstroem, Co-Founder of Verbier Festival: “I’m very excited that the announcement of a highly promising Tsinandali Festival is happening in my second home, Verbier and on this profoundly important day for us, the 25th anniversary of the Verbier Festival. I joined Tsinandali Foundation in this celebration of peace and prosperity through music in the Caucasus, because throughout my life I’ve witnessed first-hand how the power of music has been transforming nations, countries and creating unique opportunities for talented youth from around the globe.

I’m so proud to be announcing maestro, Gianandrea Noseda’s appointment as a Music Director of The Tsinandali Festival. Noseda brings a whole new, global meaning to Tsinandali Foundation’s noble cause and I have no doubt that our joint collaboration with Maestro Noseda will deliver unparalleled results for the Tsinandali Festival and the young musicians attending the Tsinandali Music Academy.”

Avi Shoshani, Co-Founder of Verbier Festival: “Myself and my partner in the Verbier Festival, Martin Engstroem are ready to share decades of our lifetime experience in music world with Tsinandali Festival and support its visionary founder, George Ramishvili who has dedicated years and substantial funds to change young people’s lives for better by transforming the historic Tsinandali Estate into a global destination of peace, educational and cultural center of the Caucasus where the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra will flourish for years to come and the language of music will be the guiding principle of humanity for everyone visiting Tsinandali.

I’m humbled to say that in the last 25 years Verbier Festival made its meaningful contribution to the development of classical music industry by acting as a highly viable platform for the young talent to interact with some of the today’s stars which allows young musicians to learn from the best and for the brightest classical music stars to have an opportunity to share their lifetime experience with the youth, first hand.

I am committed to assisting Tsinandali Foundation and newly appointed superstar conductor, Maestro Gianandrea Noseda in building Tsinandali Festival and Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra into a symbol of peace and prosperity through music in the beautiful Caucasus. “