Dances of the Georgian Court and Countryside

"During the Cold War, classical ballet companies such as the Kirov and the Bolshoi were among the most prominent cultural weapons of the Soviet Union. But the arsenal also included another kind of ballet troupe, one that took regional folk dances and customs and professionalized them, arranging them choreographically and with much artistic license for maximal theatrical impact. The most famous of these troupes was the Moiseyev Dance Company, based in Moscow,"

"Now called the Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili -and not to be confused with the more classical State Ballet of Georgia-the company was officially founded, in 1945, by the husband-and-wife team Iliko Sukhishvili, a folk dancer, and Nino Ramishvili, a ballerina. It is still run by their grandchildren. Sukhishvili and Ramishvili drew inspiration from the countryside and the court. Their company became known for the polar attributes of bravura and delicacy."

The Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili was founded in 1945 by Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili and remains run by their grandchildren. The company professionalized regional Georgian folk dances, drawing inspiration from both countryside traditions and courtly ceremony. Performances emphasize contrasting qualities of bravura and delicacy: men clank swords, leap, run on the tips of soft boots and turn on their knees, while women move across the floor with tiny steps concealed by long dresses. Costumes reference Soliko Virsaladze's original designs and combine sumptuousness with subtle detail. The dance "Samaia" evokes a fresco of Queen Tamar. The troupe toured the U.S. frequently from the 1960s through the early 2000s and returns for a Carnegie Hall debut on Jan. 17.

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