Review
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13.07.2018
Otello – La Phil At Hollywood Bowl 2018
“Baritone George Gagnidze gave the finest singing as Iago, more sardonic than demonic perhaps, but always dramatic and true to character – a singer-actor with exemplary diction and fluid belcanto style. A huge man with a huge voice, Gagnidze was the only singer in the cast who actually tried to sound small and nimble.”
Truman C. Wang, Classical Voice
“Throughout the performance Gagnidze took delight in spinning his sinister plots, planting seeds of jealousy and mistrust, and serving the evil god he worships. His duets with Thomas, particularly the rousing Act III climax, were memorable.”
Jim Farber, San Francisco Classical Voice
“Iago can easily come across as a two-dimensional villain. But Gagnidze’s Iago was leavened by a humor that was a delight to experience (if that is not too weird a concept when talking about a villain). “Suave” and “ingratiating” are two of the comments I marked on my copy of the program. Gagnidze’s snigger at the end of “Credo in un Dio crudel” was a much better alternative to the demonic laugh which many baritones employ at the end of this number, undermining the serious darkness of Iago’s bleak view of life. His highly plosive’ “p’s” on the words “E poi? (i.e. “What next?” when considering the void after death)” were almost insolent toward the audience. And even though Iago and Otello have different voice-types, Gagnidze and Thomas came together in such unanimity in the second-Act finale, “Sì, pel ciel marmoreo giuro” that I couldn’t easily tell their timbres apart – aptly underscoring, to my mind, the fact that Otello had come across to Iago’s view of his wife.”
Gordon Wlliams, Operawire
“Likewise, George Gagnidze’s depraved Iago easily upstaged his Otello. Laughter borne from the blackest pits of the human heart, the cackling of evil incarnate, animated his splendid characterization.”
Néstor Castiglione, Bachtrack
Interview
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04.07.2025
Interview for ORF TV
In the lead-up to the premiere of Der fliegende Holländer at the Oper im Steinbruch Festival, George Gagnidze spoke with ORF TV about his role and the production in St. Margarethen. The interview, along with rehearsal footage, can be viewed here:
Interview
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07.06.2025
Première Loge Interview
George Gagnidze recently spoke with Première Loge about his deep connection to Verdi and Rigoletto, the role he is currently singing at the Opéra national de Paris. The interview touches on his artistic journey, future projects, and his interpretation of one of opera’s most iconic characters.
Review
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06.06.2025
Press review “Rigoletto” in Paris, May/June 2025
“George Gagnidze, a veteran of his signature role, which he embodies masterfully with exemplary intelligence, (...) throws himself admirably into this demanding part: ... showing no noticeable signs of age ... he often reaches moments of true emotion, culminating in a faultless and particularly poignant finale.” François Lehel, Opéra
Interview
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01.04.2025
Interview with Appreciate Opera
George Gagnidze was interviewed by Alkis Karmpaliotis for the US publication Appreciate Opera. Below you will find a preview of the feature. To read the whole interview, you may click HERE.
Interview
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20.03.2025
Interview for YouTube channel Kontextus
While in Budapest, George Gagnidze had a chat with the Hungarian YouTube channel Kontextus about his career, singing Verdi and Macbeth at the Hungarian State Opera:
