Khibla Gerzmava (Soprano), Ekaterina Ganelina (Piano)

On October 20, the Grand Hall of the Philharmonic will host a solo concert by People’s Artist of Russia and internationally acclaimed opera star Khibla Gerzmava. She will be joined on stage by pianist Ekaterina Ganelina, Honored Artist of the Republic of Abkhazia, who is known to music lovers for her musicality, outstanding technique, and ability to master repertoire of any complexity.

Khibla Gerzmava is a true prima donna of the opera stage—a vibrant and stylish singer who is equally compelling in classical arias, jazz improvisations, and traditional romances. The acclaimed opera diva captivates audiences not only with her impeccable technique and distinctive timbre but also with her exceptional acting ability and the meticulous attention she brings to every role.

The singer’s first name translates from Abkhaz as “golden-eyed,” while her surname means “she-wolf.” She is renowned for her uncompromising approach to every aspect of her artistry, from vocal technique and dramatic interpretation to her stage image. This dedication has enabled her to triumph at international competitions and win the hearts of audiences around the world.

Gerzmava is a laureate of numerous prestigious awards, including the Verdi Voices competition (Italy, 1993), the Francisco Viñas International Singing Contest (Spain, 1994), the Golden Mask (Russia, 2010 and 2016), the Golden Orpheus, Casta Diva, Triumph, and many others. In 1994, she became the only vocalist in the history of the International Tchaikovsky Competition to receive the Grand Prix.

Today, Khibla is one of Russia’s most sought-after singers on the international opera stage. She has performed at La Scala, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the Vienna State Opera, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Teatro Comunale in Florence, the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Sofia Opera, the Mariinsky Theatre, and Tokyo’s Bunkamura Orchard Hall. She tours internationally with concert programs in France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, the United States, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, and, of course, throughout Russia. In February 2014, Gerzmava took part in the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, and in 2018 she performed at the Gala Concert marking the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup.

Khibla and Ekaterina Ganelina first met artistically during their studies at the Moscow Conservatory. A graduate of the Piano Faculty and its postgraduate program in piano accompaniment, Ekaterina has accompanied singers at prestigious international competitions, including the Tchaikovsky Competition (Moscow, 1994), the Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Competition (St. Petersburg, 1993), Bella Voce (Moscow, 1999 and 2001), and Amber Nightingale (Kaliningrad, 2002). She has repeatedly received awards recognizing her as an outstanding accompanist.

Ganelina regularly participates in Russian and international music festivals, combining an active performing career with teaching at her alma mater in the Department of Accompaniment. Ekaterina and Khibla have performed their joint recital programs to great acclaim in cities across Russia, as well as in France, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. They have also recorded several collaborative albums.