Khibla Gerzmava (Soprano), Ekaterina Ganelina (Piano)

On September 10, the Grand Hall of the Conservatory 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, 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 skills and meticulous attention to every artistic image.

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 appearance. It is precisely this dedication that has enabled her to triumph at international competitions and win the hearts of new audiences around the world.

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

Today, Khibla is one of the most sought-after Russian 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. 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, Khibla 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 the best accompanist.

The pianist 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.