Sofia Nizharadze
Encyclopedia
Sofia Nizharadze is a Georgian
singer, actress and songwriter
who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
with the song Shine
.
Nizharadze was born in Tbilisi and started singing from an early age, something that was encouraged by her mother. She studied piano and vocals in the Tbilisi State Conservatory, graduated with honors, and later continued her studies at the theatre of Arts GITIS
, Moscow. She also graduated with honors from the Gnessin State Musical College
, Moscow. She has a younger brother.
At the age of three, Nizharadze started performing as a professional with very positive reception. At the age of seven she was invited by Jansug Kakhidze
, a prominent Georgian conductor and author of famous sound tracks for Georgian cinema, to join a children’s music studio where she took the lead as a vocalist for various shows and TV projects.
Later on at age 11 she performed “Sous le ciel de Paris” at the French Embassy, where she was noticed by journalist Bernard Pivot
who invited her to his program on TV5
.
When she reached 17 years old, Nizharadze had won several international young singer's contests, including the "Bravo, Bravissimo!" competition in Mini La Scala (Italy
), "Crystal Note" (Moscow
, Russia
), "Crystal Fur-tree" (Borjomi
, Georgia
). She participated in several festivals in Russia
, Turkey
, Italy
, Latvia
and Georgia
.
Later, she took the leading parts in the musicals “The Wedding Of The Jays” and ”Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour
”. Living in Moscow
at that moment she started gaining international recognition as a singer.
In 2004 she got a main part in Gerard Presgurvic's musical (Original Russian Version, Operetta Theatre, leading cast). In 2005, she reached the final in the New Wave Festival in Jūrmala, Latvia.
In 2008, Nizharadze gave up her career in Russia and returned to Georgia as a consequence of the war
between the two countries, and started a career in Georgia.
to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
. An open call for songs was launched, and over 100 entries submitted, the broadcasting authorities selected 6, that were all performed by her in a national final on February 27 in the Tbilisi Even Hall. Shine
was voted as the winner.
Sofia actively participates in many concerts and shows in Europe and Asia. She sang duets with legendary José Carreras
, Andrea Bocelli
and Chris de Burgh
.
She was also the spokesperson announcing the Georgian votes during the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
.
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
singer, actress and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Georgia competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, returning after a year's absence. Georgian broadcaster GPB internally selected Sopho Nizharadze to sing for Georgia at the Contest in May 2010. Nizharadze performed six songs on 27 February...
with the song Shine
Shine (Sopho Nizharadze song)
"Shine" is a song composed by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi and performed by Sopho Nizharadze, and represented Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The song was selected on 27 February from six songs performed by Nizharadze, with a public televote and a professional...
.
Early life
Nizharadze's grandfather, a Turkish native, met his wife in Georgia during vacation and stayed there, during the Soviet era when all non-Soviet foreigners were considered potential spies, causing him trouble to communicate with his family in Turkey.Nizharadze was born in Tbilisi and started singing from an early age, something that was encouraged by her mother. She studied piano and vocals in the Tbilisi State Conservatory, graduated with honors, and later continued her studies at the theatre of Arts GITIS
GITIS
The Russian University of Theatre Arts was founded on 22 September 1878 as the Shestakovsky Music School, became the Musico-Dramatic School of the Moscow Philharmonic Society in 1883, and was elevated to the status of a conservatory in 1886...
, Moscow. She also graduated with honors from the Gnessin State Musical College
Gnessin State Musical College
The Gnessin State Musical College and Gnessin Russian Academy of Music is a prominent music school in Moscow, Russia...
, Moscow. She has a younger brother.
Music career
Sopho's vocal range is light lyric soprano.At the age of three, Nizharadze started performing as a professional with very positive reception. At the age of seven she was invited by Jansug Kakhidze
Jansug Kakhidze
Jansug Kakhidze was a Georgian conductor, nicknamed "the Georgian Karajan". Kakhidze was music director of the Georgian State Symphony Orchestra for two decades beginning in 1973.-Musical career:...
, a prominent Georgian conductor and author of famous sound tracks for Georgian cinema, to join a children’s music studio where she took the lead as a vocalist for various shows and TV projects.
Later on at age 11 she performed “Sous le ciel de Paris” at the French Embassy, where she was noticed by journalist Bernard Pivot
Bernard Pivot
Bernard Pivot, OC, CQ is a journalist, interviewer and host of French cultural television programmes. He is a member of the Académie Goncourt.-Biography:Pivot was born in Lyon, the son of grocers...
who invited her to his program on TV5
TV5MONDE
TV5MONDE is a global television network, broadcasting several channels of French language programming. It is an approved participant member of the European Broadcasting Union.-History:...
.
When she reached 17 years old, Nizharadze had won several international young singer's contests, including the "Bravo, Bravissimo!" competition in Mini La Scala (Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
), "Crystal Note" (Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
), "Crystal Fur-tree" (Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi is a resort town in south-central Georgia with a population estimated at 14,445. It is one of the districts of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is situated in the northwestern part of the region in the picturesque Borjomi Gorge on the eastern edge of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
). She participated in several festivals in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
Later, she took the leading parts in the musicals “The Wedding Of The Jays” and ”Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour
Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour
Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour is a French musical based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, with music and lyrics by Gérard Presgurvic. It premiered in Paris on January 19, 2001. The production was directed and choreographed by Redha, with costumes by Dominique Borg and...
”. Living in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
at that moment she started gaining international recognition as a singer.
In 2004 she got a main part in Gerard Presgurvic's musical (Original Russian Version, Operetta Theatre, leading cast). In 2005, she reached the final in the New Wave Festival in Jūrmala, Latvia.
In 2008, Nizharadze gave up her career in Russia and returned to Georgia as a consequence of the war
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
between the two countries, and started a career in Georgia.
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Nizharadze was internally chosen by GBPGeorgian Public Broadcasting
Georgian Public Broadcasting is the national public broadcaster of Georgia. It started broadcasting radio in 1925, and Georgian TV started broadcasting in 1956. Today, 85% of the Georgian population receive the First Channel , and 55% receive the Second Channel...
to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
. An open call for songs was launched, and over 100 entries submitted, the broadcasting authorities selected 6, that were all performed by her in a national final on February 27 in the Tbilisi Even Hall. Shine
Shine (Sopho Nizharadze song)
"Shine" is a song composed by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi and performed by Sopho Nizharadze, and represented Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The song was selected on 27 February from six songs performed by Nizharadze, with a public televote and a professional...
was voted as the winner.
2010: After Eurovision
Nizharadze will plan her new album release, and new songs for it. She will also continue promoting her Eurovision entry in Georgia.Sofia actively participates in many concerts and shows in Europe and Asia. She sang duets with legendary José Carreras
José Carreras
Josep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
, Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
and Chris de Burgh
Chris de Burgh
Chris de Burgh is a British/Irish singer-songwriter. He is most famous for his 1986 love song "The Lady in Red".-Early life:...
.
She was also the spokesperson announcing the Georgian votes during the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
.
Awards and achievements
- 1995- “Crystal fir tree”, the international festival nominated at the “Best Vocal” category;
- 1996- Special award – “The League”, the first Georgian festival; award owner at the festival Mini La Scalla;
- 1997- Participant of “Crystal note” International Festival in MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
(850 anniversary of Moscow city); - 1999- Diploma of the First category for the best vocal within the frame of the festival “Pushkin weeks”; Diploma of the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office for the “Unique vocal features”;
- 1998- 2001- Scholarship of President Eduard Shevardnadze;
- 2000- “Golden Star” for the best vocal granted by Forte Cinematographic Studio and Star Scale Studio;
- 2003- 2004 – leading part in the musical “The Wedding of the Jays” ;
- 2004- 2006- Leading part on “Romeo and Juliet” musical;
- 2005- Participant, a finalist of the young pop star contest “New Wave”;
- 2005- 2007- Takes leading parts in shows and production of RATIB; was invited for Esmeralda part to the Musical “Notre Dame de ParisNotre Dame de Paris (musical)Notre-Dame de Paris is a sung-through French-Canadian musical which debuted on 16 September 1998 in Paris. It is based upon the novel Notre-Dame de Paris by the French novelist Victor Hugo...
”; - 2010 performed a duo with Jose CarrerasJosé CarrerasJosep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
, extract from the West Side StoryWest Side StoryWest Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
musical. - 2010/11 performed with Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
on New Year's Eve concert.
Roles
- Musical Svadba Soek (Ketevan - main role)
- Musical Romeo & Juliette - Juliet (Original Russian Main Cast)
- Musical Hello, Dolly (RATI)
Albums
- Svadba Soek Original Cast Recording (2003)
- Musical Romeo & Juliette "Ot Nenavisti Do Lubvi" Original Cast Recording (2005)
- Where are you... (2008)
- "My Dream"
- "Every Moment"
- "Where Are You..."
- "Leave Me Alone"
- "I'm Running Away"
- "Over and Over"
- "Leave Me Alone (rmx)"
- "Over and Over (rmx)"