Filimon Koridze Georgian opera singer (bass). Country: Georgia

1. Philomenos "The Singer"
2. Early Life and Training
3. Opera Career
4. Tbilisian Opera
5. Beyond Opera
6. Legacy and Canonization

Philomenos "The Singer"

Philomenos "The Singer" was a renowned Georgian opera singer (bass), born in 1829. He is considered one of the founders of Georgian opera.

Early Life and Training

Philomenos' early life remains largely undocumented, but he gained prominence in the 1860s after studying in Milan under the tutelage of Francesco Ronconi.

Opera Career

Philomenos graced stages across Italy and South America. In 1872, he made his debut at La Scala in Milan, followed by a performance at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg in 1873. From 1874 to 1881, he toured extensively in Italy.

Tbilisian Opera

In 1881, Philomenos became a fixture of the Tbilisi Opera Theater, where he performed notable roles such as Susanin in Glinka's "Ivan Susanin," Ruslan in "Ruslan and Lyudmila," the Demon in Rubinstein's "The Demon," and Don Basilio in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville."

Beyond Opera

Beyond his operatic endeavors, Philomenos was also a dedicated collector and preserver of folk and religious music. He led choral ensembles and published four collections of sacred chant between 1895 and 1904. He additionally composed works for voice and piano, piano pieces, and a music literacy textbook.

Legacy and Canonization

Philomenos passed away in 1911. In December 2011, he was canonized as Saint Philomenos "The Singer" by the Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, recognizing his contributions to both music and spirituality. Philomenos' legacy continues to inspire and uplift the artistic and religious communities in Georgia today.